Making the right decisions as soon as an accident occurs can go a long way toward keeping your situation from becoming more stressful than it needs to be. Here are some of the most important things to know about what you should do before leaving the scene of a car accident in New Mexico, and how The Husband and Wife Law Team can help you work through the rest of the process.
Key First Steps
Report the Crash
Reporting any accident before leaving ensures that the details of what happened and what was damaged are properly documented. This can be done using a non-emergency number if there are no serious injuries, blocked traffic, or other situations that require immediate assistance, but it is important to call 911 before making any other decisions if you need to.
While you are not legally obligated to report a minor accident if there are no injuries, vehicle damage is minor, there is no other property damage, and all parties agree, we do not recommend skipping this step if there is any potential doubt. It is difficult to guarantee that the other driver will not go back on their word or give their insurance company false information, and protecting yourself now can save you from more complicated insurance or legal battles later.
Gather Documentation
Compiling as much information as possible before moving vehicles or cleaning up debris is a must. Taking clear photos of the position of each vehicle and any damage provides proof to support insurance claims. You should also exchange contact information with the other driver(s) and anyone else who saw what happened clearly.
Seek Medical Assistance
Seeking non-emergency medical treatment after other steps have been completed is important even if you do not think that you have been seriously injured. Some injuries may be much more serious than they initially appear to be, and waiting too long can lead to more significant complications and medical bills. Anyone who is in need of emergency treatment may need to make arrangements to provide statements, pick up belongings, or handle other important details later.
Call an Experienced NM Car Accident Lawyer
No matter what type of car accident you have experienced, getting in touch with The Husband and Wife Law Team is an important step in protecting yourself and obtaining any compensation you may be entitled to.
Things to Avoid
Admitting Fault
Even if you know that you made an error, attempting to take full responsibility without knowing all the facts may be more detrimental than you might expect. Your insurance company or lawyer may still be able to identify one or more other factors that place part of the fault on the other driver, which can reduce your financial obligations or even help you obtain compensation.
Giving a Recorded Statement to the Other Driver's Insurance Company
The other driver's insurer will likely need to hear your version of what happened at some point, but your insurance company or lawyer will usually handle this on your behalf. Do not give the other insurance company the opportunity to seek an unreasonable amount from you by inadvertently making yourself look more at fault than you actually are.
Posting on Social Media
Your whole town may be wondering what they drove past, but there is usually no need to fuel gossip by posting anything on social media. Doing so encourages speculation among people who do not need to know anything at all, and you may unintentionally start untrue rumors yourself by oversharing before you know all the details. In most cases, it is also not appropriate for you to publicly share private information about other parties that were involved. If you have a specific reason for needing to quickly let a significant number of people know that you are safe, keep the details to a minimum and turn off any commenting and sharing settings.
Contact the Husband and Wife Law Team to Understand Your Rights and Next Steps After a New Mexico Car Accident
Knowing what you should and should not do during the minutes and days following a car accident plays an important role in ensuring the best possible outcome. At The Husband and Wife Law Team, we are here to help drivers and passengers across the state understand their options when working through the aftermath of an accident of any size. Contact us today to learn more about what to do next after experiencing a car accident in New Mexico.