Almost all auto accidents involve insurers, with the extent of that involvement depending on various factors. The way an accident victim deals with the other driver’s insurance company may make a substantial difference in the outcome of a claim. However, the other driver’s insurance company and your own car insurance company can be extremely difficult and uncooperative if you try to file a claim. Their job is to minimize the amount they give you and one of their tactics is to frustrate you during the process. Instead of being irritated with the insurance companies and taking whatever they offer to eliminate the aggravation you should contact an experienced car accident attorney who is willing to fight for every penny you deserve. Below are a few things that can assist you in dealing with the auto insurance companies.
Confirm Insurance Coverage
First and most importantly, victims should review their insurance policies for details on collision reporting and coverage. Not only will ignoring these guidelines decrease a victim’s chances of getting their damages covered, it may leave them open to fraud allegations. Double-check to confirm coverage, and be sure to have the other driver’s information is on-hand when calling the insurer.
Consider the Circumstances of the Accident
At the accident scene, a victim should gather as much information as possible before they seek medical attention. Get the other driver’s name and insurance information, and get witnesses’ contact information. If the accident was reported to the police, be sure to note the report number. When a victim reports the accident to the other person’s insurer, the representative will ask for a detailed description of the event. The more accurate the story is, the more smoothly the claim will go.
Gather Medical Records
In some cases, victims sustain such severe injuries that they have to go directly to the hospital from the scene. If this occurs, the victim has a reasonable amount of time to notify the other driver’s insurance company. Before making that call, gather all relevant medical information such as treatment schedules, x-rays, and copies of hospital bills. The other person’s insurer may request a summary of injuries or an estimated total medical cost.
Protecting Victims’ Rights
After speaking with their own insurer, an adjuster from the other motorist’s company may call the victim. If it seems like the adjuster is more focused on closing the case than on helping the victim, they probably are. Don’t let the other person’s insurance company convince the victim to settle for less than the case is worth. Consult a car accident attorney before speaking to an insurance adjuster.
Do Not Admit Fault
It may be tempting to apologize to other drivers or to admit fault when speaking to the insurance adjuster. However, it’s important to resist the urge. Even if a victim believes they’re partially responsible for a crash, they should wait for a judge or the police to assign blame. Admitting fault may ruin a victim’s chances of receiving the compensation they deserve.
Focus on the Facts
During discussions with the other person’s insurance company, do not guess or speculate as to what happened. If a victim can’t provide concrete answers to certain questions, they should admit that fact. Stick to the facts of the case, such as speed and direction. Stating the facts instead of making guesses will help investigators recreate the accident and assign fault properly. It may also prevent legal issues if the other person’s insurance company suspects fraud.
Do Not Give a Statement
The other person’s insurance adjuster may call the victim soon after the accident; in some cases, it happens on the same day. The adjuster may be independent, or they may work for the insurance company. It’s an insurance adjuster’s job to settle claims as cheaply as possible, and they typically only have a few minutes to spend on each case. By declining to give an official statement, a victim can gain an advantage over the adjuster and the other driver’s insurer.
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