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If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may have a claim for damages. It all depends on how serious your injuries are. it also depends on who was at fault. People tend to assume that they’re entitled to compensation simply because they were involved in a car crash. However, if you can’t prove fault, you will be entitled to nothing. Proving fault can be difficult. Your Ohio injury attorney will have a hard enough time proving your case. The last thing they need is your making their job even harder.
Here, we’ll discuss some of the common mistakes accident victims make in the days and weeks after their crash. As long as you avoid these mistakes, there’s a good chance your attorney will be able to get you the compensation you deserve. Either way, if you have questions about your own motor vehicle accident case, give us a call. We can schedule your free, initial consultation right over the phone. Or, if you prefer, you can contact us through our website.
Refusing to Call 911 is a Big Mistake
Regardless of how minor the crash is, you need to call 911. Not only is it the law, but it’s also critical to your case. Your Ohio injury attorney is going to need a copy of the police report. This report contains information that you won’t be able to get any other way. For example, if the cops don’t come to investigate the crash scene, there’s no way to talk to witnesses. Even if you try, most people aren’t willing to get involved in a stranger’s car accident. They are more likely to talk to the police.
The other reason you need to call the cops is that they’ll do a thorough investigation of the crash. They check to see that both drivers have valid licenses, registrations, and insurance policies. They will also look to see if either driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. If the defendant was drunk or high at the time of the collision, this is the only way you can prove it. If the cops don’t come to the scene, it’ll just be your word against the defendant’s.
You Must Seek Immediate Medical Treatment After the Crash
So many people refuse medical treatment after their motor vehicle accident. Some of them don’t think anything is wrong with them. Other people just want to put the crash behind them and get on with their day. Unfortunately, if you don’t go to the hospital in the moments after your accident, it can cause major problems for your case.
Obviously, the most important reason you need to go to the emergency room is to make sure you’re okay. The doctors there will run the necessary diagnostic tests to see if you’ve been injured. Some of these tests include the following:
- X-rays
- MRI
- CT-scan
- Physical examination
- Neurological examination
Without these tests, there is no way to know for sure if you’re hurt. Your Ohio injury attorney will need a copy of your medical records to prove that you were injured. If you refuse medical treatment, it will be nearly impossible to prove your damages.
Never Post About Your Accident on Social Media
Another major mistake accident victims make is they post about their accident online. They are so used to posting about everything that happens in their life, they don’t realize how dangerous this can be. Everything you post on social media can be used against you. In addition, they never disappear. Even if you try to delete your posts or comments, that doesn’t mean the defendant didn’t capture them on their phones. They’ll just take a screen print and send it to their attorney.
Rather than risk this happening, our Cincinnati car accident lawyers insist that you leave social media alone until after your case settles. You don’t want to give the other side any ammunition to use against you. For example, if you post a joke about how clumsy a driver you are, the defendant will take it and run with it. They’ll argue that you have always been a terrible driver and that you caused the crash.
You Don’t Want to Accept a Low Settlement Offer from the Insurance Company
When you don’t have an Ohio injury attorney representing you, the insurance company will try to take advantage of you. One thing they may do is offer you a really low settlement hoping you’ll accept it. They know you have bills piling up. They figure you’re probably desperate for cash. Their plan is to offer you a low settlement and have you sign a settlement release before you talk to an attorney.
We always tell our clients to avoid signing anything until your Ohio injury attorney reviews it. If the insurance company asks you to sign a settlement release, you should call an attorney right away. Even if you weren’t planning on talking to an attorney before, this is a sign that you need help. There’s a good chance the settlement release language is biased in favor of the insurance company. Your attorney can review the document and make sure you aren’t being taken for a ride.
You Should Hire a Ohio Injury Attorney Right Away
One way to avoid making some of the mistakes discussed herein is to hire an experienced Cincinnati car accident lawyer right away. They can guide you through the process. They will also deal with the insurance company on your behalf. If you have made any of these critical errors, our Ohio injury attorney will do their best to fix it. Their goal is to get you as much money as possible.
We recommend that you call our office as soon as possible after the crash. You can schedule your free, initial consultation within days of the accident. This will give you the best chance of avoiding the mistakes so many car accident victims make. And, since it’s free, you don’t have to pay anything up front. In fact, our firm isn’t paid until you settle your case.
