Car accidents are messy and complicated. Figuring out liability, the cost of damage to the vehicles, and concern over injuries are just a few of the things drivers have to worry about after the accident. While an accident such as being rear-ended may be very simple, most are much more confusing and they can take months to resolve.
The good news is, as a passenger, your case is much easier to deal with. You don’t have to worry about liability, for example, because one of the two drivers is going to be liable. Even in a single car accident, chances are the driver will be liable.
Despite knowing that someone will be liable, you still may not know what to do first. Let’s go through the first steps of getting your claim handled.
Gather insurance information
In a single car accident, you’ll get the insurance information for the driver of the car you were in. In a two-car accident, you’ll want to get the insurance information for both drivers. If one driver is clearly not at fault, such as when one has been rear-ended, you likely won’t file a claim against that driver. However, it’s important to get all the insurance information to be prepared.
See a doctor
If your injuries were severe enough, you were probably taken to the Emergency Room from the accident scene, which is a good start. However, even if you weren’t, you should see your primary physician, or go to an urgent care clinic and get checked out. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not be immediately apparent at the scene of the accident. You may not feel their effects until the next day. But a thorough exam by a doctor can include X-rays and other tests that can find minor injuries you may not have noticed yet.
This also preserves your rights, in case your injuries are severe enough to warrant ongoing care. Many insurance companies will require that you see a doctor within a certain time from after the car accident, and this ensures that they can’t deny your claim based on a technicality.
Hire an attorney
It doesn’t matter if it’s a single car or two-car accident, understanding how to file a claim and actually get it approved and paid is not going to be easy.
Insurance companies are looking out for their bottom line. They’re going to investigate the accident and attempt to assign most or all of the fault to the driver they don’t insure. In addition, if you’re related to the driver of the car you were in, you may not be able to file a claim with the insurance.
An attorney can help you navigate all these complications. They can negotiate with the insurance company or companies on your behalf, monitor the investigation, and help you determine what your options are if you’re unable to file a car accident claim with the insurance.
Someone is responsible for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and it’s not you. Trying to handle it on your own is likely to end with you getting only a fraction of what your injuries, wages, and pain and suffering are worth. With the help of a good lawyer, you can ensure that you maximize the amount of your recovery.
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