Those who don’t study law may have may think wrongly about several things associated with filing a car accident claim. Sadly, because of these misconceptions, a car accident victim may make decisions that could hurt their claim or credibility. These misconceptions include the following:
Victims Must Admit Faut at the Accident Scene
After a car accident, the victim may want to say sorry for what just happened. It is a human habit that can be sometimes inevitable. But, even if the victim thinks they contributed to the crash, they should not apologize or admit fault at the crash scene or to the other driver’s insurance company. Right after the crash, there are things the victim may not know that could point to the true cause of the accident.
An Attorney is Too Expensive to Hire
There is truly no reason for an accident victim not to hire an attorney. Most injury attorneys Huntington Beach work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they get only paid if they have successfully recovered compensation for their clients. Victims who choose to represent themselves may end up devaluing their claim. An experienced injury lawyer has a proven track record of recovering fair and full compensation for their clients.
The Victim Must Suffer Significant Pain and Car Damage to Have a Case
A lot of car accident victims may not feel physical pain right after the crash. Similarly, damage to the vehicle may not be obvious right away until they are examined by an expert. But, some injuries may show symptoms weeks or months after a crash. Thus, every victim must seek a doctor immediately even if they don’t feel any pain. Shock can usually mask the symptoms of certain injuries. Getting medical evaluation will preserve their health and claim. Moreover, even if the car involved does not look significantly damaged, it may have damages under the hood.
Victims Must Give the Insurance Company a Recorded Statement
Victims who are asked to give a recorded statement by an insurance adjuster don’t have to give in to this request. Doing so will usually not in their best interest because insurance companies may just want to look for factors that they cause against the victim later. During the days after the crash, the victim will be contacted by an insurance company before they can realize the true extent of their injuries. The insurance company may hope to get the victim to say something that can hurt their claim’s value.
