After you've been involved in a car accident that was caused by a third party, there are certain rights you hold that are not negotiable.
You have the right to take photos.
Take pictures of the accident scene, including damage to your vehicle and the other vehicles involved, is easy to do. You should also take photos of any injuries you suffered.
There are also certain things you should avoid doing after a car wreck because they can compromise your legal claim:
Do not admit anything; A third party that cause the accident may try to entice you into saying something that can be used against you in a future claim.
Do not leave the scene; Unless you are seriously injured and require immediate medical attention, it's important to remain at the scene and wait form responding police officers to arrive.
Do not agree to a private settlement; The third-party responsible for the accident may try to offer you a quick cash settlement to avoid you filing a legal claim.
You have the right to compensation for personal injury and property damage; if you suffer in an accident caused by someone else, you have the right to pursue a legal claim against the person or group of people responsible.
You have the right to contact the police; you are allowed to call the police or other law enforcement personnel in the area to file an officer report regarding the accident. A police report is often one of the main pieces of evidence used to support a personal injury claim.
You have the right to talk to witnesses; You can and should seek out any witnesses to the car accident and obtain their contact information. You should also direct those witnesses to tell their story to the official police report.
You have the right to obtain medical attention; if your injury requires medical attention, you have the right to treatment.
You have the right to remain silent- although this is usually legal right for the people arrested for the crime, it applies in the aftermath of a car accident as well. There is no law that compels you to speak to the other party, or the other party's insurance company or any insurance investigator.
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