Understanding Your Duty To Mitigate Damages After a Car Crash

After a car accident, you have a legal obligation to minimize (or mitigate) your damages, which means taking reasonable steps to prevent further harm or loss as a result of the accident Here's what you need to know about your duty to mitigate damages:

Get treatment: If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. Delaying or refusing treatment can aggravate your injuries and lead to other complications.

Follow medical advice: After receiving treatment, follow your health care provider's recommendations for recovery, including follow-up appointments, prescribed treatments, and limit or outside of any restrictions on exercise.

Preserve evidence: Take steps to preserve evidence related to the accident, such as scene photos, contact information for witnesses, and copies of medical records and bills. This evidence can support your claim for compensation.

Be investigative not cooperative: When law enforcement or insurance investigators are investigating an accident, be fully cooperative and provide as accurate information as possible. Failure to cooperate may prevent you from paying.

Minimizing Monetary Loss: Take reasonable steps to minimize your financial loss as a result of the accident, such as repairing or replacing damaged property, obtaining a replacement vehicle if your vehicle is inoperable, and medical treatment and reducing the cost of treatment and rehabilitation

Return to work when possible: If you are able to work after the accident, make a reasonable effort to return to work as soon as you are medically cleared to do so.