Things to Avoid After a Car Accident

Each year, there are thousands of car accidents in the state of West Virginia. These accidents have devastating consequences for those involved including physical injury and financial loss. Accidents create a lot of anxiety for victims, and for good reason. However, that high level of stress can lead an accident victim to make mistakes. Some errors are harmless, while others can cause harm to a personal injury or even lead to criminal consequences. The car accident lawyers at Colombo Law would like you and your loved ones to stay alert and take several precautions to keep your family safe in the event of an accident.

Avoid Fleeing the Scene of an Accident

In West Virginia, as in many other states, anyone involved in an accident has specific obligations. One of those obligations is to stop and render aid to all other individuals involved. This includes stopping a vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to the accident as possible. Capable individuals involved in an accident must check on others that may possibly be injured. If other individuals are injured, there is an obligation to seek assistance. Failing to do so can create criminal consequences, regardless of how minor the accident may have been.

Failing to Contact Law-Enforcement

Contacting law-enforcement is crucial after an accident. In minor accidents, many drivers simply decide to exchange information instead of promptly contacting law-enforcement. However, this is an extremely dangerous practice. Many drivers figure out all too late that the other driver’s insurance information is out of date, or has lapsed. Later, when submitting a claim, drivers are often surprised to learn that the other party is disputing the claim in which they were clearly at fault.

Contacting law-enforcement after an accident has several benefits. It creates a record of the accident, allows for witnesses to come forward, creates an account of what happened by a neutral third-party, and ensures that accurate identifying information for all parties involved is obtained.

Avoid Admitting Fault

At the time of an accident it is important to think carefully before speaking. It is particularly important to let law enforcement officers make any conclusions on their own without specifically admitting fault. Admitting fault or even partial fault for an accident could seriously harm a personal injury claim.

Contact Colombo Law

If you have been injured in an accident or incident in West Virginia, contact an attorney at Colombo Law for legal assistance. Colombo Law assists clients located in and around West Virginia including in Morgantown, Fairmont, Clarksburg, Bridgeport, Kingwood, Grafton, Weston, Philippi, Buckhannon, Elkins, Parkersburg, as well as Monongalia, Marion, Harrison, Preston, Taylor, and Lewis county. To schedule your initial consultation, contact one of our attorneys today.


by Colombo Law
Last updated on - Originally published on