3 Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Crash
After a car crash, most victims are in pain and in shock. It can be hard for them to think straight or focus on anything except the pain they’re experiencing and the worry they have for their loved ones in the vehicle with them, and any other victims. Unfortunately, the actions (or lack thereof) that victims take in the minutes and hours after crashes can affect their ability to get compensation.
The three most common mistakes car accident victims make after crashes are:
- Admitting fault: It’s important to never admit fault after a crash or even insinuate that you might be partially at fault. Virginia is a contributory negligence state, and it means that if you’re even 1% at fault for a crash, you can’t get compensation. Going on record to the other driver, police, or insurance company that you caused or contributed to the crash can make you ineligible for damages.
- Not getting immediate medical attention: While you don’t have to go to the hospital directly from the crash scene in an ambulance, you do need to get medical treatment ASAP. The longer you wait, the more skeptical the insurance company will be of your injuries and whether they were caused by the crash.
- Waiting too long to file a claim: Virginia’s statute of limitations for injury claims is two years from the date they occurred. But waiting even several days to file a claim can make it more difficult to win. That’s because evidence can disappear, witnesses can be harder to locate, and the insurance company will become more skeptical of your story.
At Skolrood Law Firm, we can help with every aspect of your car accident claim. Contact our Roanoke car accident lawyers today for a free consultation.
