5 Common Mistakes to Avoid After an Accident

When involved in a motor vehicle accident, how you respond to the situation can impact your recovery and awards of damages. Accidents, and injuries are stressful, which is why ensuring that you don’t make a common mistake after your accident will help in this difficult situation.

Here are the 5 most common mistakes to avoid after an accident.

1. Leaving the SceneLeaving the scene of an accident you are involved in is an offence and should never be done. Staying at the scene is important to getting the information of the other drivers and being there to correctly retell the series of events that led to the accident. Regardless of your importance in the accident, you should always stay until you are dismissed.
2. Moving Your VehicleIf involved in an accident you should not move your vehicle unless it is necessary for safety reasons. The post-collision position of the cars is important in determining fault. Tampering with this important piece of information can prevent investigating officers from drawing an accurate conclusion – especially for larger, more serious accidents.
3. Failing to Call the PolicePolice officers at the scene collect valuable pieces of information and can properly assess the damage and dictate what is to be done next. Police officers talk to witnesses, take photos, and prepare a proper crash report that documents critical information. Furthermore, the police will properly block off the road and collect debris for the safety of the other road users.
4. Skipping the DoctorAccidents occur in a second, and you may have adrenaline coursing through your body preventing you from feeling pain. Many accident victims report that they notice symptoms days or even weeks after the accident occurs. Seeing a doctor will help properly document and assess your physical injuries, and invisible injuries such as brain injuries, or psychological injuries. The earlier your injuries are diagnosed, the better your recovery will be.
5. Withholding DetailsIt is important to share every aspect of the accident with the police. Regardless of whether you think the information is unnecessary or irrelevant, describe it in as much detail as you can. Describe what you saw, felt, and heard to help ensure that these details, and your recollection of the accident become part of the police records.

CLG Injury Law has over 35 years’ experience representing Atlantic Canadians who have suffered injuries following a motor vehicle accident. For more articles and safety tips, go to https://cantiniinjurylaw.ca/blog/ or subscribe to our newsletter.