Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, particularly if it wasn’t your fault or you suffered significant injuries.
When this happens, you’ll need to take action to ensure that you receive proper compensation from the other driver’s insurance company, as well as your own.
There are several things you should do if you find yourself in this situation; here are some of the most important tips to keep in mind after filing car accident claims following a car accident.
Communicate Effectively With Your At-Fault Party’s Insurer
More than likely, you’ll have to speak with a claims adjuster from the at-fault party’s insurer. (This is true even if the at-fault party has direct billing with their insurer.) Stay calm and collected when speaking to them.
Don’t assume that they know all of your information—it is always helpful to provide additional details about any injuries, vehicle damage, and other pertinent facts. Be as truthful as possible; you should also be sure to ask questions about your case so that you fully understand how it will proceed.
If you have to call the at-fault party’s insurer, take note of their customer service representatives, as they are responsible for helping you process your claim. If they don’t answer any of your questions or seem unhelpful, you can try calling back and speaking with another representative.
If that doesn’t work, ask to speak with a supervisor or manager who may be able to provide you with more information about how to proceed. Communicating effectively is especially important if there is any disagreement over how much should be paid out in claims.
File A Police Report After Your Car Accident
Whether you’ve been in a minor fender bender or something major, you should file a police report at the scene of the accident. Doing this will help in the documentation of everything. If you don’t know where to start in filing your claim, you can always reach out to your insurance company.
They can provide instructions on how to file an official claim. The claims process could take several weeks depending on how much damage was done and how serious it was—the more severe, obviously, the longer it takes.
Filing right away will expedite matters, but make sure you get all of your ducks in a row before moving forward. You don’t want to miss any deadlines.
Hire Legal Representation
Many insurance companies will attempt to get their clients to handle all of their claims. If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve been involved in an auto accident, but you’re unsure of how to proceed, consider hiring legal representation.
Though many lawyers out there might be happy to take your money, some will provide services that aren’t worth it.
Do your research and make sure that any attorney you hire is someone who understands how auto claims work, and keep in mind that most cases can be settled without going to court.
It’s important to remember that even if it seems like things are stacked against you from the start, don’t give up hope!
Document Everything About Your Car Accident
Try to remember everything that happened before, during, and after your car accident. Take pictures of all the damage, and don’t forget about medical treatment or therapy you might need in case of injury.
If the police or a tow truck were involved, get as much information from them as possible. Keep detailed notes of when things occurred, who you spoke with, and what they said. This will help prevent confusion down the road if something doesn’t go right with your claim.
There are plenty of free tools available online such as Google Docs, that can help organize information, so it’s easy to find later.
