As an accident injury attorney in Memphis, TN, we deal with automobile crashes and accident injury claims resulting from crashes more than any other type of case. Why might this be? Well, it could be that every single day over 90 people die in car crashes, with another three million being injured. In fact, car accidents are one of the most common ways that people become injured in such a way that they are affected by the injuries for the rest of their life.
When you or a loved one is killed or injured in an automobile accident, bills can add up — meaning that now you have two problems: an injury to deal with, as well as a large amount of debt to pay off. Because of this, it is incredibly important that you or your family members are fairly compensated in order to deal with costs that are associated with the accident, medical bills, time lost from work, and in some cases, funeral costs.
When you have been involved in an accident, make sure that you have the best legal representation possible by getting in contact with us at the Porter Law Firm. Our team of auto accident lawyers is here to provide you with legal representation and legal aid through the conclusion of your claim or case. But what should you do — or not do, for that matter — to protect yourself before getting in touch with us?
Never Leave The Scene
If there is one thing that you could do that we would consider to be you “shooting yourself in the foot” it is to leave the scene of an accident. Whether this means you simply never stopped after coming in contact with another vehicle, or if you got scared and decided to flee, there is nothing butdamage that can come from leaving the scene. When you are involved in an accident and flee the scene, you immediately implicate yourself as being at-fault of causing the accident. To make matters worse, if someone is to become hurt in the accident and you flee without stopping to render aid, you could be charged with a felony offense.
Never Admit Responsibility
One of the worst things that you can possibly do after being involved in a car accident is to admit your guilt of causing the accident — or even that it may have been your fault, for that matter. In fact, you shouldn’t even say you are sorry (even if you are), because saying sorry can be seen by the court as an admission of fault. When you say sorry, or admit fault, in front of any number of people, it can be used against you to force you to pay damages, or to lower your settlement claim for damages. In order to ensure that your best interests are protected, be sure to contact the Porter Law Firm right away for legal representation. Our auto accident lawyers will help you navigate the legal processes after your accident while pushing for your best possible interests.
Never Sign Anything
Just as it is unwise to admit responsibility for causing the accident, it is important that you never sign any documents before they are reviewed by your auto accident attorney. While it is not often that people are prompted to sign documents after an automotive accident, it is not unheard of for insurance companies to try to make their jobs easier by catching someone off guard. Before you sign anything, be sure to let your auto accident attorney review the documents first.
Never Discuss The Accident Until The Case Is Concluded
We understand, when you are in an automotive accident, everyone wants to hear what happened and if you are okay. While answers like “I was just driving down the road when it suddenly happened” and “I will be okay!” are acceptable, giving a more descriptive statement to others can end up coming back to haunt you. In fact, be wary of everyone, not just your friends. The other person’s insurance company and their attorney are among the top of the “do not talk to” list. Instead, do not discuss anything pertaining to the accident with anyone besides your auto accident attorney, the police, and your insurance provider.
Don’t Lose Your Cool
Arguably one of the most important things for you to keep in mind when you are involved in an automotive accident is to remain calm. Sure, being in an accident is an extremely scary thing, but it is important to remember that in time it will pass and that the most important thing that you can do at that moment is to remain calm and sort everything out — with the help of your Memphis auto accident attorney, that is.
Been In An Accident? Get In Touch With Us!
If you have been in an automobile accident, it is imperative that you contact an accident injury attorney right away. Our team of auto accident attorneys is here to ensure that you are informed and supported every step of the way after your accident. So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today!