If you find yourself in the middle of a car accident, you have both rights and responsibilities. According to the Fresno car accident lawyers at Wagner Jones, taking advantage of these rights is a big step towards winning a favorable settlement or even a lawsuit if the case escalates to court litigation.
Being in Central California where there is a high incidence of car accidents, the Wagner Jones law firm is virtually an authority when it comes to personal injury cases. They know that winning a car accident case starts immediately after the incident and knowing what your rights are.
The following are your rights when you are involved in an auto accident and what to do to take advantage of them.
You Have the Right Call for Emergency Responders
It is important that you call 911 to report the incident if you are able to immediately after the accident. You may also feel fine after the accident, but you may have injuries that are not readily apparent. Let the responding paramedics check and treat you, which also happens to be one of your rights in a car accident.
You Have the Right to Take Photographic and Video Evidence
After making sure that you and your passengers are not injured, you should try your best to regain your composure. Remind yourself that you have the right to take photographs and video of the scene of the accident. More than just a right, taking photo and video evidence of the scene will bolster your bid for favorable settlement or build a strong case in case of a lawsuit.
You Have the Right to Talk to Witnesses
There will likely be good Samaritans who are on the scene helping out. They may also be potential eyewitnesses. Talk to them and ask them for information about how the accident went down. If their statements favor you, ask for their permission to record them. Make sure to get their contact details just in case you need to reach them in the future.
You Have the Right Not to Admit Fault at the Scene
Emotions will understandably be running high after a car accident and you may either be apologetic or simply not thinking straight. Other parties involved in the accident may try to harass you into admitting fault. Even saying “sorry” may be construed as an admission of guilt. If tensions are high, it will be in your best interest to simply walk away and wait for the authorities to arrive.
You Have the Right to Seek Legal Advice
One of the best ways to prepare for car accidents is to have the contact details of a personal injury lawyer. Immediately after the accident, you can try to reach out to the lawyer for advice on the steps that you can take to help ensure that things go in your favor. You may need to talk personally with the lawyer beforehand to establish an arrangement.
These are your most important rights if you ever find yourself in the middle of a car accident. Keep in mind that there are also things that you cannot and must not do if you are involved in a car accident. These, however, is a subject for another article.
