After a car accident, your world can feel like it’s spinning out of control. You will have a lot to attend to, like checking to make sure you’re physically okay, confronting expensive damage to your vehicle, and trying to get in touch with the police and your insurance. If the car accident was someone else’s fault, the last thing you might expect is for people to try and put the blame on you, but unfortunately, this is quite common. 

Why Would I Be Accused?

After an accident on the road, the insurance companies of the involved parties will investigate what happened to determine who was at fault. In some states, like Georgia, you can be found partially at fault. If you’re found less than 50% at fault, then you are entitled to compensation for the damages you have faced, like medical bills and repairs to your car. 

You have to bear in mind, though, that auto insurance companies are hungry for profit, and they will want to do whatever it takes to minimize how much they have to pay you in compensation. So even if you know that you played no role in the accident or were only at fault a small amount, you might find yourself pressured into admitting you were at fault to help out the insurance company or the other driver. They might tell you that the process will go faster if you admit fault, but doing this will only hurt you. 

How to Avoid Accusations

You can’t control whether or not someone will accuse you of being at fault for an accident, but you can take careful steps to protect yourself so you can defend yourself and reduce the risk of accusations. 

  • Contact the Police: You need to inform the local authorities of any accident involving $1,000 of property damage or more or causing anyone harm. Make sure to contact the police as soon as you possibly can to ensure that they get there to document the scene exactly as it is. If you don’t contact the police or delay getting in touch with them, it might look like you are at fault and don’t want anyone to know. 
  • Collect Evidence: If you can safely stay on the scene of the accident while you wait for the authorities to arrive, make sure to document as much information as you can. Take pictures of your car, the other vehicle, and any relevant surrounding details. Speak with witnesses who might have seen what happened and film or record them with their consent. Write down important information like the other driver’s license plate number and name. The more information you can get at the scene, the more you will be able to defend your claim in the face of accusations. 
  • Don’t Admit Fault: You might feel pressure to admit fault, especially if the other driver reaches out to you. Remember to stick to your beliefs about what happened and do not say that you are to blame when you are not. 
  • Contact a Lawyer: You don’t have to face this stressful situation by yourself. Reaching out to a car accident lawyer can help you determine what really happened and ensure you have an experienced professional by your side to defend your position.

Contact a Trustworthy Car Accident Attorney

 If you’re being wrongly accused of being at fault for a car accident, hiring a car accident lawyer is your surest way to work for the best possible outcome. At Lamar Law Office, LLC, we know how frustrating it can be to be accused of something you didn’t do. No matter what you’ve been through, we’re here to listen and stand up for you. Contact us today to get started.