The Dos And Don'ts Of Filing A Car Accident Insurance Claim
Car insurance is one of the few things you pay for on a regular basis but hope you never have to use. If you've recently been involved in a car accident, however, you'll need to file an official claim with your insurance company--regardless of who was at fault for the collision. Before you file your claim, however, there are a few things you'll want to do as well as some things you'll want to avoid.
DO Keep Documentation
More than likely, your insurance company will need some official documentation of your accident in order to process your claim. This may include photos from the accident scene, a police report, and even receipts or quotes from the service that towed your damaged vehicle to the local repair shop. If you've received a quote for the estimated repairs on your car, have this available to present to your insurance company as well. Before you have any work done, your agent will most likely want to send a claims adjuster out to assess your car, so don't give your mechanic the "go-ahead" to perform any work until after you've filed your claim.
DO Report Your Accident Sooner Rather Than Later
To help the claims process go as smoothly as possible, don't delay making your claim. Of course, if you're hospitalized as a result of your accident or are otherwise unable to contact your insurance company right away, they're not going to hold this against you. However, if you simply put off reporting your car accident until days or weeks after the incident, this could end up working against you in the long run. This is especially true if the other drive files his or her claim first and news of your accident makes its way to your insurance company before you've contacted them yourself.
DON'T Admit Fault
Finally, understand that you might find yourself under a fair amount of pressure to admit fault. Specifically, the other driver's insurance company may try contacting you to negotiate a claim or settlement, provided that you sign a statement from them.
Never agree to sign anything without a lawyer present and never admit fault to an accident. Instead, consult with a team of accident attorneys to receive the legal guidance and representation you deserve. From there, you'll have the best chances of a favorable outcome, whether it be receiving the compensation you're entitled to for your accident or simply avoiding being held responsible for the other driver's damages. For more information about getting the right amount of money from a car accident injury, go to http://www.attorneyinjury.com/.