Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can be a stressful and daunting task. With bills piling up and medical treatments taking weeks or months to complete, it can be easy for injured victims to get overwhelmed.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help expedite the claims process and protect your rights.
1. Take Pictures
If you are involved in an accident, take pictures of the scene to document all the details. This will help you preserve evidence later on if you are filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
The photos can show all of the vehicles involved, road conditions at the time, collision points and debris. This documentation can also help refresh your memory if you are talking to the insurance company or testifying in court.
Skid marks can provide insight into the speed and direction of the driver before the crash. This evidence can be very useful in determining who was at fault.
Other things you should capture are the weather and road conditions at the time of the accident. This could include snow or frost, dirt and broken lights.
2. Exchange Information
The information you exchange at the scene of a car accident can have a significant impact on your future claims process. This is why it’s important to obtain identifying information from other drivers immediately after an accident occurs.
Getting details of the other driver’s full name and address is one of the most crucial steps in your pursuit of compensation. This information will ensure that you can locate the person if needed later on.
It’s also critical to get a full description of each vehicle involved in the crash. This information should include the make, model, color, and license plate numbers of each car.
If the other driver refuses to provide this information, call the police and seek legal advice. Failing to provide this information can lead to fines and other penalties.
3. Contact Your Attorney
If you are able to, contact your car accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident. This will ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation that you are entitled to under law.
It is important to note that insurance companies are in business for their own profits. That is why they may try to settle your claim for as little as possible, even if they are not at fault.
During the negotiation process, your attorney will review your case and determine how much you are owed in compensation for your injuries and damages. He will then proceed to negotiate with the insurance company.
If a settlement cannot be reached, the case will go to court. Getting an experienced trial lawyer involved in your car accident case will help you to maximize your chances of getting the compensation that you deserve.
4. Contact the Insurance Companies
Your insurance contract includes a requirement that you report your accident to the company within a reasonable period. They may also require that you cooperate with their investigation.
It is a good idea to take down the other driver's contact information, including their name, phone number and address. You should also get the vehicle's insurance company, policy number and license plate number.
This is a key piece of information later on when it comes time to file a claim.
You should also ask for a copy of the police report. This is a key document that will be very helpful in proving liability for the crash.
Once the police have filed their report, they are legally obligated to provide you with a copy of it. This report will be an essential piece of evidence when it comes time to file a claim with the other driver's insurance.
