Hey, The Accident Wasn’t My Fault!

Accident wasn’t my fault

So, you’ve been involved in a car accident, and it wasn’t your fault? This is a difficult situation that requires you to prioritize your needs. Rest assured, this scenario is exactly why you bought a motor vehicle policy from an independent insurance agent. In this blog post, we offer some do’s and don’ts that will protect your interests as you recover from an auto accident: 

DO

1. Seek medical treatment. You may decide to refuse this service at the accident scene, but this doesn’t preclude you from following up with a doctor at a hospital or an urgent care clinic or seeing your family doctor.

2. Ensure that you don’t leave the scene until the law enforcement authorities arrive. Initially, it’s up to the law enforcement authority to sort out who was at fault in the accident and then note it on the accident report. However, a citation isn’t always assigned the same day.

3. Report the claim to your insurance company. Be prepared to give them the basics of the accident. You can also fax them a copy of the accident report should you already have it, or they can request it from the law enforcement agency.

4. Feel relieved that your insurance company is on your side. At this point, you might be worried that you will have to make a claim for medical damages, lost wages, and/or vehicle losses or repairs. The great thing about having insurance is that your carrier must represent your interests in the matter.

5. Seek expert advice if you feel you need additional help.

DON’T

1. Give out recorded statements to adjusters from the at-fault party’s insurance company. This is the part where they want you to make mistakes because they assume you don’t understand the legal process.

2. Assume that your insurance carrier will cancel your policy or not renew it within the next year after the accident. This concern prevents some policyholders from reporting a claim. They may try to handle everything on their own, especially minor vehicle damages and temporary injuries. Be sure to use the insurance benefits that you purchased. If you have questions, review them with your agent.

3. Rush to settle your case with your own insurance company or the other party’s insurance company. Making a personal injury claim could take a long time. If you do hire an attorney, he or she can explain your rights and the statute of limitations that applies to this motor vehicle accident. Your time limit will vary in each state.

4. Try to answer all accident-related questions yourself. Getting in a motor vehicle crash is difficult. When that happens collect yourself and know that, when you make a call to your independent agent, you will have support. Your agent can help with any questions that may arise, including how to navigate the claims process and how to follow up on certain aspects. Plus, you will have other concerns. Your agent is someone who has seen and experienced many of these situations and can help you. 

5. Believe in any attorney’s promise of recovering money from the at-fault insurance company. Regardless of whether you make a claim, there are no guarantees of recovering medical bills or lost wages. However, some medical bills and lost wages might be covered under the policy you took out on your personal vehicle.

We Can Help

In the end, settling a personal injury claim with or without an attorney requires a mindset of delayed justice. It’s your responsibility to show how your injuries were caused by the defendant. Take time to fully recover from the crash and assess all associated damages before accepting settlements from insurance carriers. Your insurance company and the defendant’s insurance company will want to be certain that they understand the extent of your damages before trying to resolve your claim.