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Discover the Most Common Mistakes California Drivers Make After Accidents – And How You Can Avoid Making the Same Mistake

Most people will be involved in some level of a car accident in their life, whether minor or catastrophic. As a result, it is essential to know what to do – and what not to do – after an accident. Continue reading to learn about common mistakes drivers make after being involved in accidents and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you require a free legal consultation.

Choosing Not to Contact the Police

Most car accidents require that those involved report the accident to the police. If there were any injuries, ranging from very minor to catastrophic injuries, then the police must be contacted. If property damage exceeds $950, then the police must be contacted. If you are not sure, then call the police and find out if it is necessary to file a report.

Choosing Not to Get the Insurance Companies Involved

If an accident appears to be relatively minor and there are no injuries, then the at-fault party might offer to pay for repairs and not get the insurance companies involved. This can be a mistake. Remember that not all injuries are immediately clear, and if you wait weeks to contact the insurance company, this could bring the validity of your injuries into question.

Immediately Admitting Fault

Sometimes, a driver thinks that immediately admitting fault is the right move. The truth is that right after an accident, you rarely can be sure who was at fault. Even for a driver who ran a red light or otherwise broke the law, the other driver might have committed their own faux pas and be partially at fault too.

You can always admit fault later if necessary, but once you say you were at fault, there is no taking it back. For this reason, it is best to wait until the dust has settled and you have had time to assess the situation.

Not Getting Contact Information for Other Involved Parties

Neglecting to get contact information from the other driver would be a big mistake, but it would also be a big mistake to neglect to get contact information from witnesses and others who were involved. Do not assume that the police will do so, or that you can get information from one person who will contact you with others. Get names, phone numbers, addresses, and other contact information when possible.

If you have been involved in a car accident and want to maximize your chance of getting the best possible outcome, we highly recommend you contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to request a free legal consultation with an attorney.