One of the worst mistakes you can make after suffering an accident that wasn’t your fault is failing to report your accident to the police. Under no circumstances should you ever ignore your right to contacting the police for help during your time of distress.
There is no such thing as “taking matters into your own hands,” It’s always important to report severe and or life-threatening matters to the authorities.
Even before contacting an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, it’s essential to call the police to ensure not only your safety but also the possible compensation you can win if your accident was the result of someone else’s incompetence.
How Does Reporting Your Accident Help?
Reporting your accident creates an official record of events. Police officers will not take sides during the aftermath of the incident, and you’ll have a chance to give a detailed account of what happened. Depending on how serious your injury, police will also analyze the situation and give you the proper aid that you require at the time.
Besides helping your situation in the present, reporting your accident allows you the chance to use your report for your future injury claim against the other party that was instrumental in your pain and suffering. Think of reporting your injury as an insurance policy that allows you to have a validated perspective of events.
The Consequences of Not Reporting Your Accident
When you don’t report your accident, you leave yourself open to attack. The other party or any other witness can completely control the narrative of events that lead to your accident. When there are no cameras or recording devices available, the description of your accident relies on the word of others present at the time of your accident.
There is absolutely no reason why you should leave the scene of your accidents besides having your immediate safety at risk for various reasons. The sooner you report your incident, the better and time is always of the essence whenever you find yourself, the victim of someone’s negligence.
Never Report Your Accident to Insurance Companies
It’s generally a good idea to never openly discuss your case with anyone besides your injury attorney. One of the major entities that you should avoid discussing your accident with any insurance company. Insurance companies may reach out to you and pretend to care about your well-being, but they’re always seeking out vital information about your accident.
Insurance companies focus on any minor and major details that you give them and attempt to distort your liability for your damages. By making you seem more responsible for your injury, they hope to either lower the amount of compensation they have to pay you or even negate paying you at all.
It’s always best to allow your injury lawyer to speak with insurance company representatives. Your injury attorney knows how to handle insurance company representatives and will only tell them what they need to know to process your injury claim. Never forget, only your trust officials such as police officers, doctors, and your injury attorney.
