Apart from practicing proper driving skills, every cautious driver should also know what to do in the event of a car accident. Although no one likes to think about the possibility of being involved in a car crash, it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities in situations like these.
If you’re unfortunate enough to suffer injuries and damages as a result of a car crash that wasn’t caused by your negligence, you are entitled to file a personal injury claim with the insurance company of the party at fault. The compensation you’ll receive is supposed to cover for your medical bills and all other damages and loss you’ve experienced because of the accident. But reaching a fair settlement in a personal injury claim can be quite challenging, so here are some tips that will make things easier for you.
Gather information and evidence
Once you’ve made sure you and everyone else involved in the car accident is safe and sound, you have to talk with the driver at fault and exchange insurance information in order to prepare for filing a claim. It’s also essential to file a detailed report with the police immediately after the accident and see a doctor to document all the injuries you’ve suffered.
Gather as much evidence as you can about the accident to make sure you can build a strong case for yourself. That includes taking photos at the scene of the accident and talking with eyewitnesses to collect vital information about how the event happened.
File the claim
The next step is to contact the other party’s insurance company and file a claim. That’s the normal procedure you should follow when the driver at fault has a valid insurance. But there are cases where the driver is either uninsured or his insurance doesn’t cover for the damages he’s caused. If that’s the case, you’ll have to file a claim with your own insurance company. Your agent will guide you through the process.
Arm yourself with patience
After you’ve filed the claim, the car accident settlement process can begin. Keep in mind that the insurance company is looking out for their own best interest, and that means they’ll make every effort to pay you the lowest possible amount for the claim you’ve made. That’s just how things work in the insurance world, so you shouldn’t take things personally. All you can do is arm yourself with lots of patience, use the evidence you’ve collected to support your case and stand your ground.
Start negotiating
Negotiating an accident settlement is definitely the most challenging part. The claim adjuster will make you an initial offer, usually much lower than what you think you deserve, so don’t be so quick to accept it. Take your time and analyze the facts, then you can decide if you’re going to accept what they give you or if it’s best to continue negotiating. Working with a personal injury lawyer can make the process infinitely easier for you and give you better chances at receiving the compensation you deserve.