Insight

IN PARTNERSHIP

7 Things to Never Do After a Car Accident

The actions you take after a car accident could determine the injury compensation you stand to receive. Learn seven things to never do after a car accident.

Cartoon of person with big pencil and check list
Headshot of male lawyer with dark hair and beard in blue suit and red tie

J.L. King

February 3, 2023 12:00 PM

In the best-case scenario, a car accident can leave you feeling dazed and confused. Even if you only have minor injuries, you still need to deal with the physical and mental trauma of the accident.

Car accidents are also rare occurrences for most drivers. If this is your first car accident, you may not know what to do or — just as importantly — not to do.

Learn seven things you should never do after a car accident if you want to preserve your right to injury compensation and avoid being blamed.

What Happens After a Car Accident?

After a car accident in most states, you must:

  • Stop at the accident scene
  • Assist anyone injured
  • Exchange information with the other drivers

If the accident causes injury or death, you must report it to the police. For example, in Georgia, you must use the quickest means of communication to contact the local police or, if the accident did not happen in a city, the county sheriff or Georgia State Patrol.

The police will send officers to investigate accidents with injuries or fatalities. The investigating officers will prepare an accident report. Anyone involved in the crash can access the accident report, including:

  • Drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists
  • Parents of minors
  • Vehicle owners
  • Insurance companies
  • Lawyers for anyone involved

Most states use a fault-based system of auto insurance. Under this system, drivers are required to purchase liability insurance in case of mishaps on the road.

After an accident, the liability insurer for the at-fault driver pays for losses suffered by those injured or killed. To win or settle an insurance claim, the injured party must prove the at-fault driver acted negligently in causing the crash.

7 Things to Never Do After a Car Accident

Your actions after a car accident can affect your right to recover injury compensation and determine whether you get blamed for the accident and become liable for others’ injuries.

Here are seven things to never do after a car accident.

1. Leave the Accident Scene Before the Police Arrive

Laws in every state require you to remain at the accident scene until you complete certain tasks. In most conditions, you must provide your information to the other driver. This information will typically include your name, contact information, license plate number, and insurance carrier.

If your injuries prevent you from providing your information, you may need to give your information to the police as soon as possible after the accident. The police can then include your information in the crash report.

2. Refuse to Cooperate with the Police

A good accident report can support your injury claim. You should therefore cooperate with the police to make sure the investigating officers consider your side of the story when drafting it. If you refuse, you might look like you have something to hide, and anything you say later will carry less weight.

When you speak to the police at the accident scene, stick to the facts. The police don’t need your help analyzing who caused the accident or whether they should issue any citations — they need help putting together the facts that explain what happened.

3. Apologize or Admit Fault

Anything you say in the aftermath of a crash could harm your legal interests. If you apologize or admit fault, those words might come back to haunt you when you pursue injury compensation.

Even if the facts show you played no role in causing the accident, you’ll be expected to explain your words. This could give the at-fault driver and their insurer a path for shifting blame for the accident to you.

4. Ignore Your Injuries

You might feel tempted to downplay your injuries, thinking if you get some rest, the aches and pains will disappear.

If you think there’s even the slightest chance you need to go to the emergency room, ask for an ambulance. If you have an incapacitating injury and don’t know it, you could hurt yourself or someone else by attempting to drive to the hospital on your own.

Even if you don’t think you need to go to the emergency room, it’s still a good idea to visit a clinic or private practice doctor within a few days of your crash.

Getting checked out will help you confirm that you don’t have any hidden injuries, like a concussion or internal bleeding. It will also give you the necessary documentation to prove the accident injured you.

5. Refuse Medical Treatment

Always follow your doctor’s instructions on:

  • Rest
  • Work restrictions
  • Medication
  • Physical therapy

You stand the best chance of recovery if you listen to your physician and apply their advice to the letter. You also reduce the risk that the at-fault driver will blame you for worsening your injuries by failing to take care of yourself.

If you exacerbate your injuries, an adjuster or jury might relieve the at-fault driver of paying a portion of your medical bills.

6. Talk to the At-Fault Driver’s Insurer

The adjuster will ask for a recorded statement when you file an insurance claim. In a recorded statement, the adjuster asks questions over the phone and records your answers.

This might seem harmless, but remember that the adjuster doesn’t work for you. Their job is to ensure the insurance company pays as little as possible for your claim, and they can use your words to deny or reduce your claim.

The crash report and your medical records should give the claims adjuster all the necessary facts about your accident, meaning they’ll have more than enough information to process your claim without a recorded statement.

7. Wait Too Long to File an Injury Claim

Every state has a statute of limitations establishing the deadline for filing a personal injury claim. If you miss the deadline, you most likely won’t be able to recover compensation for your injuries.

Meeting Your Needs After a Car Accident

A car accident can leave you with a stack of growing medical bills and no way to pay them. You might be forced to rely on an insurance check to pay for treatment or even cover your daily expenses. The steps you take after your accident could put you in the best position to secure payment from the insurance company and meet those needs.

J.L King is an attorney founder of The King Firm, a Georgia personal injury law firm with offices in Tifton and Griffin. J.L. attended the University of Georgia School of Law in 2005. Contact us for a free consultation. Phone: (229) 386-1376 Email: jl@kingtriallaw.com

Headline Image: iStock/Mykyta Dolmatov

Related Articles

IN PARTNERSHIP

Should I Hire A Lawyer After A Houston Car Accident?


by Ryan Zehl

You should hire a lawyer after a Houston car accident for help proving liability, gathering evidence and pursuing insurance claims or lawsuits for compensation.

Yellow background with white car being viewed through magnifying glass

IN PARTNERSHIP

Five Tips To Avoid a Car Accident in Nashville


by Harlene Labrum

Learn five tips to avoid a crash in Nashville, TN. Call Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers for a consultation with a skilled Nashville car accident attorney.

Car driving on snowy road

IN PARTNERSHIP

The Benefits of Hiring an Attorney After a Car Accident


by James D. Payer

Hiring a car accident attorney is about maximizing the compensation you recover from the at-fault party. Learn more about the benefits of hiring a lawyer here.

Nighttime image of two crashed cars in street covered in broken glass

IN PARTNERSHIP

Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Galveston, TX?


by Alton Todd

Learn whether you should hire a lawyer after a car accident in Galveston, TX. Contact The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.

Yellow car crashing into the side of blue car

IN PARTNERSHIP

Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Brentwood, TN?


by Harlene Labrum

Learn whether you should hire a lawyer after a car accident lawyer in Brentwood, TN. Contact Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.

Road caution sign in front of two wrecked cars

IN PARTNERSHIP

What Will a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Actually Do for You?


by Adam Zayed

Personal injury lawyer Adam Zayed explains the important steps a Chicago car accident lawyer will take to ensure you receive the best legal representation.

Blurry image of fast moving traffic in big city

IN PARTNERSHIP

Knowing When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer


by Muhammad Ramadan

Chicago personal injury lawyer Muhammad Ramadan offers advice on how to know when to hire a lawyer after you have been involved in a car accident.

White and grey cars crashed together with man standing between them

IN PARTNERSHIP

Five Considerations Choosing A Colorado Car Accident Lawyer


by Lisandra Matos

One lawyer explains five considerations you should take when choosing the right Colorado lawyer if you have been injured or are facing insurance claims after a car accident.

Red and white toy car colliding by magnifying glass on orange background

IN PARTNERSHIP

5 Benefits of Hiring an Attorney After a Car Accident in Texas


by Alton C. Todd

A personal injury lawyer can protect your rights and advocate for compensation. Read to learn about the benefits of hiring a lawyer after a Texas car accident.

White car crashed into dark purple car with heavy damage

5 Things To Consider When Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer in Dallas, TX


by Jay Murray

Choosing the right car accident lawyer for your case in Dallas, Texas, is essential. Read this article to learn about 5 things to consider during the process.

Figure in suit checks off an animated list

IN PARTNERSHIP

What Should You Do if You Were Hurt in a Hit-and-Run Accident in Texas?


by Mark A. Anderson

Call 911 to report a hit-and-run accident in Texas. Learn what to do next to protect your right to file claims seeking compensation for injuries and damages here.

White car with damage sits on side of the road

IN PARTNERSHIP

Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer


by Bill Winters

There are many benefits to hiring a car accident lawyer. They’ll handle your claim from start to finish and ensure you recover the best possible outcome. Learn more here.

Red fire truck beside two crashed cars

IN PARTNERSHIP

5 Things To Consider When Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer in Nevada


by Justin Watkins

There are many things to consider when hiring a car accident lawyer, including skill, experience and cost. Read on to learn more.

Woman on phone looking at cracked windshield

IN PARTNERSHIP

5 Things To Consider When Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer


by Stephen R. Schultz

A car accident lawyer helps you recover compensation for injuries and damages. Choosing a lawyer to handle your case can be confusing, but these tips can help.

Laptop corner and hand checking box on paper

When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer


by Nick Movagar

When you get injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you can pursue injury compensation. Learn when you should hire a car accident lawyer.

Wrecked car with broken windshield

IN PARTNERSHIP

5 Things To Do if You’re at Fault in a Car Accident


by Alex De Castroverde

Have you been in a car accident in Las Vegas, NV? Learn more about what to do if you were at fault. Contact a car accident attorney to discuss your case.

Man in blue jacket standing in front of smoking car

Trending Articles

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in America Honorees


by Best Lawyers

Only the top 5.3% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Gold strings and dots connecting to form US map

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers® in the United States


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers listed in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and in the 2nd Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2022.

2022 Best Lawyers Listings for United States

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue


by Best Lawyers

The 2021 Global Issue features top legal talent from the most recent editions of Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch worldwide.

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue

The U.S. Best Lawyers Voting Season Is Open


by Best Lawyers

The voting season for the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the 5th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America is officially underway, and we are offering some helpful advice to this year’s voters.

Golden figures of people standing on blue surface connected by white lines

How To Find A Pro Bono Lawyer


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers dives into the vital role pro bono lawyers play in ensuring access to justice for all and the transformative impact they have on communities.

Hands joined around a table with phone, paper, pen and glasses

The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2024 Launch


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce The Best Lawyers in Australia™ for 2023, including the top lawyers and law firms from Australia.

Australian Parliament beside water at sunset

How Palworld Is Testing the Limits of Nintendo’s Legal Power


by Gregory Sirico

Many are calling the new game Palworld “Pokémon GO with guns,” noting the games striking similarities. Experts speculate how Nintendo could take legal action.

Animated figures with guns stand on top of creatures

What the Courts Say About Recording in the Classroom


by Christina Henagen Peer and Peter Zawadski

Students and parents are increasingly asking to use audio devices to record what's being said in the classroom. But is it legal? A recent ruling offer gives the answer to a question confusing parents and administrators alike.

Is It Legal for Students to Record Teachers?

Inflation Escalation


by Ashley S. Wagner

Inflation and rising costs are at the forefront of everyone’s mind as we enter 2023. The current volatile market makes it more important than ever to understand the rent escalation clauses in current and future commercial lease agreements.

Suited figure in front of rising market and inflated balloon

The Upcycle Conundrum


by Karen Kreider Gaunt

Laudable or litigious? What you need to know about potential copyright and trademark infringement when repurposing products.

Repurposed Products and Copyright Infringemen

8 Different Types of Criminal Defenses in Law


by Best Lawyers

Learn about the different types of criminal defenses available in law, including innocence, self-defense, insanity and more. Protect your rights today.

Silver handcuffs laying on finger printed papers

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2023


by Best Lawyers

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years.

Three arrows made of lines and dots on blue background

A Celebration of Excellence: The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 Awards


by Best Lawyers

As we embark on the 18th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™, we are excited to highlight excellence and top legal talent across the country.

Abstract image of red and white Canada flag in triangles

Wage and Overtime Laws for Truck Drivers


by Greg Mansell

For truck drivers nationwide, underpayment and overtime violations are just the beginning of a long list of problems. Below we explore the wages you are entitled to but may not be receiving.

Truck Driver Wage and Overtime Laws in the US

Choosing a Title Company: What a Seller Should Expect


by Roy D. Oppenheim

When it comes to choosing a title company, how much power exactly does a seller have?

Choosing the Title Company As Seller

The 2024 Best Lawyers in Spain™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Spain™ and the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain™ for 2024.

Tall buildings and rushing traffic against clouds and sun in sky