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Six Steps to Avoid Losing Your Car Accident Case

You need to take control after a car accident and take steps that will protect your rights. Of course, if you take the wrong steps, it could cost you the ability to recover compensation for your injuries and vehicle damage.

The car accident lawyers of Gemma Law Associates, Inc., provide the following list of mistakes to avoid (and what you should do instead) if you have been involved in car accident in Providence or Rhode Island:

1. Don’t overreact to a Rhode Island car accident.

Stay calm and proceed in a business-like manner after a car accident. If you are not severely injured, determine whether others are hurt. Call 911 if help is needed. If you have been injured, get medical help from emergency responders. Be polite and respectful of everyone involved in the accident and its aftermath. Try to calm those who are upset. Don’t make accusations of fault. Don’t get into arguments.

2. Don’t exaggerate your account of what happened.

Call the police to report the accident. Cooperate with them when they show up at the scene. Answer their questions honestly but answer only what’s asked. Don’t go into why or how the crash occurred. Never admit fault and don’t blame anyone else at that point.

The same goes for insurance companies: Be honest but only provide basic information. Tell the insurer what happened but do not talk about how or why an accident occurred. Do not characterize your injuries. You want to avoid providing information that could allow the insurance carrier to downplay the seriousness of your accident and injuries.

At the same time, don’t exaggerate what happened or the extent of the injuries and losses you have suffered. It won’t help your cause and may undermine your credibility.

Do not sign anything offered by an insurance company. Also, politely decline to record a statement if asked. If you hear from the other driver’s insurance company, refer them to your insurer or your attorney.

3. Don’t ignore evidence of your car accident.

If you are not too badly injured, you can start right away to gather evidence to support your potential accident claim. Photograph the cars and their positions and damage. You can also take photos of skid marks, debris and any other damage on the roadway or shoulder of the road, including previously existing damage that may have been a factor in the crash. Get contact information from car passengers and other witnesses. Find out how to get a copy of the police report and get one as soon as possible. Save all of your doctor bills, receipts and any other records of your injuries and associated expenses.

4. Don’t ignore your insurance company.

As we mentioned above, it’s crucial that you report your car accident to your insurance company in order to initiate a claim. Do this as soon as possible.

Afterward, cooperate with your insurer. For instance, get repair estimates for your vehicle if they ask you to get them. Again, don’t provide information that could damage your claim and never sign anything offered by an insurance company without the advice of an attorney.

5. Don’t overlook the crucial help a lawyer provides.

No one provides the help an experienced car accident lawyer can provide after a car crash. Police protect the law. Insurers protect their profits. But an attorney protects you.

Your attorney will stand between you and the insurance companies and ensure that they don’t take advantage of you. An experienced car accident lawyer also knows how to investigate your car accident to determine who should compensate you for your losses.

6. Get Help from an Experienced Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyer.

Contact Gemma Law Associates, Inc. We will provide a free consultation about your case. We will review your accident and your legal options. If you retain our services, we will deal with the insurance companies for you and seek all of the compensation you deserve.


Serving the Greater Providence metro area, including WarwickCranstonPawtucketNorth ProvidenceSouth KingstonCoventryCumberlandWoonsocket, and East Providence.

Gemma law is the best and helped and guided me threw everything … highly recommended thank you so much
ellen almgren
ellen almgren
2023-02-09
5 stars all the way. They did exactly what was expected. Good Job
Keith Ruggiero
Keith Ruggiero
2023-02-04
Very efficient and very good with communicating with me. I received updates about my case without having to call and request them. Very good law office! Very satisfied.
Bethania Herrera
Bethania Herrera
2023-01-19
Mark Gemma has been absolutely amazing. He was helpful and answered all concerns and questions I’ve had. Him and his team are beyond incredible, supportive, and sweet. I would like to thank them all for everything they’ve done.
Samantha Argus
Samantha Argus
2023-01-19
very professional and honest, what I liked the most is whenever you call the lawyer returns your call with every concern I had. It was my first time and I would not hesitate to trust them again.
Diana Palacio
Diana Palacio
2023-01-17
This team is extremely helpful and kind. Mark Gemma was a great help in guiding me through this whole process and was a huge help. I would recommend this team to anyone seeking legal counsel
Zachary Dustin
Zachary Dustin
2023-01-16
I am so happy with the turnout of my case. Both Sarah and Peter kept me up to date on everything and worked very hard on my case. The whole staff is friendly and diligent with their work. 100% recommend!
Chelsie Abatiello
Chelsie Abatiello
2022-12-28
Managed to get my money before Christmas...in just days after settling! Great communication and always helped with my needs, and always gave good advice. Would definitely recommend.
Trini Luckey
Trini Luckey
2022-12-23
Always professional and always checking in on their clients. Excellent atmosphere.
Susan Hallam
Susan Hallam
2022-12-17
After spending 8 hours in a hospital overnight to get stitches in my lip because of a drunk driver’s negligent decision to get behind the wheel, the last thing I wanted to do was think about it all. I sent an email to Gemma Law, and Mark Gemma quickly called me back with an empathetic approach to listening to my story and helping me figure out the next steps. When he told me I wouldn’t have to have any contact with the insurance companies, I was HOOKED! When he pointed out how unfortunate it was I might have to miss out on a lip modeling career from a potential scar from the stitches, I was SOLD! And when I finally received my settlement check after letting him do all the leg work while I just focused on recovering, I was and am eternally GRATEFUL! Mark Gemma helped me turn a near death experience into a new start in life and I highly recommend him to anybody needing a personal injury lawyer.
Angie Sherman
Angie Sherman
2022-12-07
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