According to a study conducted by Esurance, 85 percent of drivers think that they are doing all of the right things after an accident, but are actually making mistakes that could cost a lot of time, cause a reduction in the amount of compensation they receive for their injuries, and could even expose them to the risk of criminal penalties and fines.
These mistakes include:
Failing to file a police report - Only 42 percent of the respondents in the study talked to the police after their accident.
Failing to document the damage to their vehicle, the other party’s vehicle, or other property - 56 percent of the respondents failed to collect evidence from the accident scene, including photos of the damage to all vehicles and property. These photos can provide valuable evidence for a police report, insurance claim, or personal injury lawsuit.
Forgetting to exchange contact info with the other driver - 38 percent of the study’s respondents forgot to exchange contact information, meaning that there was no way to reach the other party involved.
Refusing medical treatment at the scene - Less than half of the individuals in the study who were injured sought medical attention.
Failing to report the accident with their insurance provider.
Saying “I’m sorry,” which can be interpreted as an admission of fault - 21 percent of the respondents in the study apologized to the other driver at the scene of the accident, opening themselves up to potential liability for the accident.