There are a number of things that you should avoid doing after an auto accident. Some of the most important things to remember are:
Don’t forget to call the police. Drivers involved in a car accident sometimes forgo getting the police involved by just exchanging information. This can cause serious problems for any future causes-of-action you have against the negligent driver: The other driver could lie about his or her identity or insurance coverage, thus leaving you without any means of recovery; you might lose or misplace the contact information by mistake; and no matter what if you choose not to call the police you will not have an official accident report to back up your account of what happened. A police report will benefit you as the victim of the accident, because it will support your story against the possibility of false representations by the other driver. So remember, after an accident call 911 first, then contact an experienced Vermont attorney. We have had an office on Main Street in Hyde Park, Vermont since 1981. Please call today for a free consultation.
It’s important that you remember that there is a conflict between your interests and the interests of the insurance carrier. As an accident victim, your interest is in recovering the loss that you have suffered to avoid large out-of-pocket expenses from the accident. The insurance company’s only interest is in paying as little as possible on your claim. I recommend that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney for advice on your case before giving any official statements to the insurance carriers.
Do not wait too long before seeking recovery on your claim. In Vermont there is a set period of time for accident victims to sue for personal injuries. Personal Injury actions must be brought within three years of the accident which caused the harm. This means that waiting more than four years after your accident to attempt to file a claim will bar your recovery completely. Even more stringent is Vermont’s statute of limitations governing wrongful death cases, which must be brought within two years of the death. It is very important that you protect yourself from these strict time limits by getting quick medical attention after your accident and contacting a Vermont Personal Injury Attorney as soon as you can.