Five Things not to Do if You?re in a Car Accident

Each person involved in the car accident can turn to his or her own
insurance company for compensation, regardless of who or what caused
the accident. Compensation amounts, known as accident benefits, are
set by a statute called the Statutory Accident Benefit Schedule. Many
other laws regulate auto accident compensation and any legal action
taken. Although No Fault systems are supposed to simplify things after
an auto accident, the Canadian No Fault system is extremely complex.

If you were in a car accident and were not responsible for it
happening, you can bring a suit against the person who was responsible
in your view. To do so, your injuries must be both severe and
permanent. A car accident attorney can assess the situation and start
collecting necessary information to build your case. To best help
yourself if this were to happen, there are some things you should not
to at the accident scene.

DO NOT:

1. Leave the scene. This would be a criminal act and would make the
accident a "hit-and-run" incident. It would be investigated and
your position would not be positive.

2. Move an injured person. Unless you have medical training and are
qualified in some way, such as an EMT worker, do not try to do this,
no matter how uncomfortable you might think the person looks. You
could injure that person further if you move them. You have no real
information about how they are already injured and an untrained or
inappropriate move could worsen the injuries.

3. Apologize. Immediately after an auto accident, most people feel
shaken up or worse. At this point you really don't know much about
what has happened and anything you think you know is subjective. You
may have a guilty feeling as if you caused the accident, but that
could be quite wrong. If anyone else involved in the accident has
severe and permanent injuries and later hires an auto accident lawyer
to sue you, your statements at the scene of the accident will be used
against you.

4. Converse with others. Along the same lines as not apologizing,
it's better to refrain from any conversation with others at the
scene. You need to ask for contact information from the other people
involved, and from any witnesses of the accident, and you need to give
your own contact information to them. Beyond that, it's better to be
silent, because again, anything you say could be turned against you
later.

5. Disregard police requests. Answer all questions put to you by
police officers. Give them all information they ask for. Remain in
whatever place they ask you to remain. Do not leave the scene before
they give you permission. You can ask an officer about getting a copy
of the police report, but do not try to monopolize the attention of
any police officer.

Canadian law allows a person to sue for damages if their injuries are
both very severe and permanent. You would need to learn more about
your legal position and options. Accident law is complex in Canada and
your best friend after a bad auto accident is a good auto accident
lawyer.

If you have been disabled or disfigured in a car accident, do
contact an experienced car accident attorney for help.