6 Mistakes to Avoid in a Car Accident Claim
One of the most common means of transport is the use of motor vehicle. Cars might be a source of blessing and equally a source of curse. There has been a rise in the number of accidents in the recent past. Accidents may occur due to negligence or act of rogue road users. If you are involved in a road accident, you may end up suffering emotionally, physically, mentally or financially. One major question you will struggle to answer is whether there is room for compensation. The beauty is that the law allows you to be compensated by either the offender or your insurance company. It is important to know how to go about when claiming after a car accident. Below are some major mistakes to avoid when making a car accident claim.
1. Taking too long before hiring a lawyer.
You should not take long to hire a lawyer after an accident. This is because you need compensation and the longer you take will mean that your insurance company may reject your claim if it takes longer. The car accident attorney will quickly take you through the process of filing your claim and help you avoid mistakes commonly done. The lawyer will also keep in communication with your insurance company to first track the process.
There are many ways to find a talented lawyer in your area. You can start by searching Google and reading reviews of attorneys near you. For instance, if you’re trying to find the best car accident attorney in West Palm Beach, try searching that phrase and looking at the Map to compare law firms in the vicinity.
2. Giving your insurance company too much information.
The interest of the insurance company is to make a profit by ensuring they save every coin that comes in. Therefore, when claiming after a car accident, you should be keen to avoid feeding your insurance company with too much information. They should not be entitled to too much, and neither should you give a recorded statement. In any case, you should give your basic information. It is significant to note that the law requires you to inform your insurance company when you are involved in a car accident. However, provide the necessary information, and don’t go overboard. The best way to handle your insurance company is to hire a car crash attorney who will negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf. The attorney is in a position of avoiding the mistakes that you are bound to commit.
3. Failure to get a police report.
According to Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, you should never put the police out of the equation when involved in a car accident. This is because, at the point of claiming, the information gathered by the police at the scene of the accident will be of great help in the compensation phase. The police report is the evidence that your attorney will use for liability establishment after the accident.
4. Avoid medical attention.
When involved in a car accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. This will help you to know whether your body has been affected internally. Equally, when claiming the medical report from the doctor will be important evidence of your involvement in an accident. Failure to seek immediate medical attention means that your insurer might claim you got the injuries elsewhere and may not compensate you.
5. Failing to document at the scene of the accident.
Details about the scene of accidents should be well documented for evidence purposes. At the scene, you should take photos of your vehicle’s external damage, its position after the crash, the road condition, the debris, skid marks and many others. These are physical evidence that your attorney will use to help you in the claim process. Notably, you should take the details of witnesses at the scene.
6. Agree on a quick settlement.
You should never accept a quick settlement by your insurance company when still undergoing medication or assessment of the accident. A majority of the insurance company would want to compensate you early enough which in most cases will not match to the total deal you would have incurred at the end of your treatment. Therefore, it is wise that you engage your attorney who will help you follow the right channel and help you get your full compensation.
The above-discussed 6 points are helpful in case you are thinking to claim compensation after a car accident.
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