After a car accident, the first thing you should do is assess any possible injuries and seek immediate medical assistance. Next, call the authorities (such as police) to document the incident and provide additional assistance. Once any urgent issues are addressed at the accident scene, you will need to get in touch with your insurance company to begin the claims process. It’s in your best interests to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after an accident, even if you believe you were not at fault. When you do this, rely on these tips to expedite the process and get the most out of your claim.
Insurance companies work with many thousands of individuals involved in car accidents, so it can be easy to feel lost in the system. In order to pay a claim, the insurance company needs clear evidence of what factors contributed to or caused the accident and any damage that occurred. Thus, it’s important that you thoroughly document the incident. Take pictures of everything, even if it seems insignificant to you: skid marks, debris, damage to both vehicles, road conditions and injuries.
Your insurance company will also need documentation of any injuries you suffered as a result of the accident. Even if you feel fine, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor as soon as possible after an accident — some injuries may take days or even weeks to become fully apparent.Medical reports are essential when pursuing insurance claims after an auto accident.
One of the main reasons people contact their insurance companies after an accident is to repair any damage to their vehicles. While your insurance company will gladly recommend a mechanic or body shop, you don’t have to work with their providers if you don’t want to. In fact, it’s often much better to get in touch with a shop that you already work with or that has been recommended by friends or family members you trust.
Working with your insurance company after a crash can be a frustrating experience, but it’s important that you keep your cool. Even if you don’t agree with your adjuster, yelling at them will get you nowhere. Try to stay as pleasant as possible, as it may encourage your adjuster to be more helpful than he or she would be if you were ranting and raving.
While your insurance company can help you fix your car following an accident, you may be eligible to recover additional compensation. To find out if you qualify to file a car accident lawsuit, contact the Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock, A.P.C. today. We will assess your situation and let you know if you have grounds to file a lawsuit against the party(s) responsible. Responsible parties may include a negligent driver, the city for failing to properly maintain the roadways, a mechanic who failed to properly fix your vehicle or an auto parts manufacturer for making defective car parts.
To learn more, please contact our law firm today.