Motor Vehicle Accidents

Cravath partner David J. Kappos and Qualcomm chief economist Dr. Kirti Gupta co‑authored an article entitled “Smartphone Standard Essential Patents Aren’t Driving Litigation,” which was published to the websMotor vehicle collisions can be very expensive experiences. The damage to vehicles can be so severe that motorists have to replace them. The occupants of the vehicle could also incur significant injuries because of the crash.

Most people expect car insurance to help them cover the expenses of a collision. They believe that the driver at fault for the crash should have to provide them with compensation. Unfortunately, motorists sometimes make seemingly small mistakes that can make it much harder for them to obtain compensation after a wreck. Drivers who learn about and avoid the three common mistakes below can improve their chances of securing the compensation they require after a wreck.

Agreeing to handle the issue privately

A surprising number of people try to convince others to ignore mandatory crash reporting rules. Collisions involving a substantial amount of property damage or injury to people require an official police report. The driver who caused the crash may try to convince the other parties involved not to file a police report by promising the handles a matter privately. Those who do not report a crash after it occurs may have a more difficult time securing compensation through insurance or litigation later.

Apologizing to other people

For many people, apologizing is a natural response to a frustrating or inconvenient situation. They might apologize to the other driver despite the other drivers culpability for the collision. They might apologize to police officers for making them come out on a hot day or to insurance professionals for the complicated claim. Some parties may try to treat any apology as an admission of guilt or partial responsibility. People involved in crashes may assume that a crash investigation should exonerate them. Unfortunately, any statements that seemingly admit guilt can put them at a major disadvantage later.

Choosing to not see a doctor

Quite a few people assume that they can identify their own injuries at the scene of a crash. Some injuries are obvious and easy for people to self-diagnose. A broken leg may not support someone’s weight, for example. There are many injuries that are invisible initially because they are internal. Brain injuries and internal bleeding are perfect examples. Even traumatic injuries to bones or the spinal cord may be stable initially. People often cannot diagnose themselves accurately. They need to see a medical professional after a crash to rule out internal injuries or affirmatively diagnose traumatic injuries.

Motorists who know what steps to take after a serious car crash can potentially preserve their right to seek compensation later. Avoiding common mistakes can help strengthen someone’s chances of a successful insurance claim or a lawsuit.