Five Things You Should Not Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents are, unfortunately, a common occurrence in any large city and Toronto is no exception. While some car accidents cause little or no damage or injury, other accidents are quite serious and can result in permanent injury or even death. Following are some things that a person should never do in the event of a car accident.

Never Leave the Scene

No matter what type of car accident you have been involved in, do not leave the scene of the accident until the police have arrived. If you are not at fault, then the police report will help you to get compensation from the car insurance company.

If you are at fault, then facing up to it is still the best route to go. Fleeing the scene of an accident is illegal, especially if there are injuries involved. Furthermore, the chances of a person being able to get away with this are slim to none.

Never Confront a Drunk Driver

Car accident can be scary and no one likes to be hit by another driver. It can be even more upsetting to find that you have been hit by someone who is clearly intoxicated. However, you should never let anger get the best of you. Do not ever attempt to reason or argue with someone who is intoxicated. Call the police and let them handle it.

Never Lie to the Police

A person who has caused an accident may be tempted to lie about what happened or at least embellish the truth a bit. This is never a good idea. It is both unethical and illegal to lie to the police. Additionally, police who have handled traffic accidents in the past will know who is at fault by seeing how the vehicles collided, what damage is present and other factors.

There are also numerous traffic cameras on main roads, enabling police to see exactly who is telling the truth. A person who is worried about getting in legal trouble for a car accident will want to hire a Toronto car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Never Talk to Police Without an Attorney Present

A person who has caused an auto accident or was at least partially responsible for one will want to hire a good attorney as soon as possible. A good attorney will help a person know how to answer police questions.

Never Get the Car Immediately Repainted

While no one wants to have a banged up car, the car itself is evidence. Before having it repainted or getting extensive body work done, take photos of the vehicle from various angles and have a mechanic look at it and note what caused the damage and how it was caused. This can help you build a case against a negligent driver who hit you or build your case against a person who is unfairly trying to blame you for the accident.

Those who have been involved in an auto accident should call the police as soon as possible. Cooperate with the police to sort out who is to blame and, if necessary, hire an attorney to protect your legal rights.

Sam Moser is a freelance content writer who has written almost exclusively for the web since graduating from the School of Journalism at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario. Having experienced a car accident himself, Sam has done his share of researching car accident lawyers in Toronto.