Avoid making mutual agreements after a car accident.
If you are involved in a collision with another car, you are strongly advised not to make any mutual agreements with the other parties involved.
Why shouldn't you make any agreements at the scene of a car accident?
Even in a minor accident you can be left with injuries that could affect you long term. It is unlikely that you will know at the scene of the accident all the information about how the car accident has affected you.
Many times victims of car accidents can be unaware that they have been injured due to the hormone endorphin. Endorphins are a painkiller and these hormones are released when there is excitement or stress. Its presence in your body could mask any pain from injuries that you are suffering.
Do not agree a cash settlement at the scene of an accident.
You may be asked to accept a cash sum by the other driver to cover any visible damage. However its possible that your car is damaged more than you think.
Agreeing to a payment at the scene of the crash may seem tempting, but it is rarely something that should be done. Its quite likely that you won’t be offered more than you could claim through your insurance company, or with the help of a motor accident compensation claim solicitor.
Its more in your favour to report the accident to your insurance company. Accidents that are not reported promptly can sometimes result in the insurance company not paying out. If you make an agreement with the driver at the scene of the crash, he might not report the accident to his insurance company, and this could affect any claim that you want to make against him.
If you mistakenly make an agreement at the scene of a car accident, you might be able to back out of it.
If you have accidentally made an agreement with the other driver at the scene of the accident, it maybe possible to back out of it. For example if you were threatened by the driver then the agreement could be nulled.
If you made the agreement with a mutual mistake of fact, for example that both of you were unaware of the extent of damage to your car, then this may also make the agreement void.
If you have been involved in an accident call one of our solicitors on 0800 633 5730 to discuss making a car accident claim.