You must understand that there are certain procedures you must follow immediately after your car accident. If not, you may hurt your chances of receiving financial compensation via an insurance claim and/or a personal injury claim. Read on to discover some common mistakes to avoid and how a seasoned St. Mary’s County car accident lawyer at The Dorsey Law Firm can guide you throughout the claims process.
What are the most common mistakes made immediately after a car accident?
Understandably, you want to put the terrible event of your car accident behind you as soon as possible. However, you cannot rush the formalities that succeed it. That said, below are some of the most common mistakes made immediately after an accident:
- Failing to call law enforcement to respond to your accident.
- Forgetting to take photos and videos of your personal injuries, your car damages, and the hazards that contributed to your accident.
- Forgetting to retrieve the contact information and car insurance information from the other driver(s) involved in your accident.
- Neglecting to ask present witnesses to offer an oral or written statement to a law enforcement officer.
- Refusing to have emergency first responders conduct an initial medical examination of you at the scene.
- Denying emergency first responders from transporting you to the emergency room for additional medical examinations.
What else should I avoid doing?
At all costs, you must refrain from fleeing the scene of your car accident. This is considered a “hit-and-run,” which is illegal in the state of Maryland. If the police track you down later on, you may be facing the following consequences:
- If the accident resulted in property damage:
- A fine of up to $500.
- A jail sentence of up to 60 days.
- Up to eight points on a driver’s record.
- If the accident resulted in serious bodily injury:
- A fine of up to $5,000.
- A prison sentence of up to five years.
- A license suspension or revocation.
- If the accident resulted in death:
- A fine of up to $10,000.
- A prison sentence of up to 10 years.
- A license suspension or revocation.
In addition, it may be in your best interest to remain in your vehicle if you believe that the other driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol; or if you otherwise believe that the other driver is violent or possesses violent weapons. This is because you do not want to get physically attacked and incur further injuries and damages. Rather, it is safest to wait until a law enforcement officer arrives at the scene.
When it comes to your personal injury claim, you need a competent St. Mary’s County auto accident lawyer by your side. This is why you must contact The Dorsey Law Firm as soon as possible.
