To sign up for our daily email newsletter, CLICK HERE
Car accidents are never fun, and they’re often quite stressful. After you’ve been in an accident, it’s important to know what to do (and what not to do) in order to protect your rights and your interests. Here are 10 common mistakes people make after a car accident:
1. Not Calling the Police
If you’ve been in an accident, you should always call the police. Even if the damage is minor and there are no injuries, it’s important to have a police report on file. A police report can be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim or if you decide to take legal action.
2. Not Getting Medical Attention
If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible. Even if your injuries seem minor, you should see a doctor or go to the emergency room to be sure. Getting prompt medical treatment will also help document your injuries and support any future claims you may make.
3. Not Exchange Information with the Other Driver
After an accident, you should exchange information with the other driver, including your name, contact information, insurance company and policy number. You should also get the other driver’s license plate number. If there are witnesses to the accident, you should get their contact information as well.
4. Not Taking Pictures
If you have a camera or a smartphone, you should take pictures of the accident scene, the damage to your car, and your injuries. These pictures can be helpful in documenting what happened and supporting any future claims you may make.
5. Not Calling Your Insurance Company
After an accident, you should call your insurance company to report the accident and start the claims process. Even if you don’t plan to file a claim, you should still notify your insurance company about the accident.
6. Admitting Fault
After an accident, you should never admit fault. It’s important to let the police and your insurance company investigate what happened before you make any statements about who was at fault.
7. Not Getting a Repair Estimate
If your car was damaged in an accident, you should get a repair estimate from a reputable mechanic before you have it repaired. This will help you ensure that you are getting a fair price for the repairs.
8. Not Getting a Rental Car
If your car is damaged in an accident, your insurance company may provide you with a rental car while your car is being repaired. Be sure to ask about this when you call your insurance company to report the accident.
9. Not Filing a Claim
If you’ve been in an accident and you have damage to your car or injuries, you should file a claim with your insurance company. Even if you have a deductible, it’s often worth it to file a claim.
10. Not Hiring an Attorney
If you’ve been in a serious accident, especially in Ohio where traffic laws and regulations can be complex, you should consider hiring an experienced personal injury attorney. Top-rated Ohio car accident lawyers are specialized in dealing with the intricacies of the legal process in the state. They can help you navigate the legal process, deal with the insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve. This is where Legal Finders can assist you. They can connect you with highly-rated Ohio car accident lawyers who can provide the expert advice and representation you need in such stressful times.
Procedure to deal with the accident case
- Immediately after the accident, check for any injuries. If someone is injured, call for medical assistance. Do not move an injured person unless it is absolutely necessary.
- If it is safe to do so, move the vehicles out of the traffic lane to prevent further accidents.
- Call the police.
- Exchange information with the other driver. Get the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Insurance company name
- Insurance policy number
- Take pictures of the accident scene, the damage to the vehicles, and any injuries.
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Call your insurance company to report the accident and start the claims process.
- Keep track of all medical treatment you receive and all expenses you incur as a result of the accident.
- Do not give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
- Hire an experienced personal injury attorney to help you with your case.
Should You Claim for the Compensation? When You Are Eligible to Claim for Compensation?
If you are thinking about claiming for compensation, you might be wondering whether you are eligible to do so. The answer to this question depends on a few factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, and the amount of work you have missed as a result of the accident.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine whether you are eligible to claim for compensation and, if so, how much you might be entitled to receive. Visit here, https://royceinjury.com/, whenever you need a help of professional personal injury attorney in Kansas City or anywhere in the USA.
Insurance role after the accident
After you have been in an accident, you should call your insurance company to report the accident and start the claims process. Even if you don’t plan to file a claim, you should still notify your insurance company about the accident.
Your insurance company will likely ask you for the following information:
- Your name, address, and phone number
- The other driver’s name, address, and phone number
- The other driver’s insurance company and policy number
- The police report number
- The names and contact information of any witnesses
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- A description of the accident
- A description of the damages to your vehicle
- A description of your injuries
- The name and contact information of your doctor or hospital
After you have provided this information to your insurance company, the claims process will begin. Your insurance company will likely assign an adjuster to your case. The adjuster’s job is to investigate the accident and determine who was at fault.
The adjuster will also determine the value of your claim. Once the adjuster has made a determination, your insurance company will either approve or deny your claim.
If your claim is approved, your insurance company will pay for the damages to your vehicle and, if you have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, your medical expenses. If your claim is denied, you will have to pay for these expenses yourself.
Should You Hire an Attorney?
If you’ve been in a serious accident, you should consider hiring an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you navigate the legal process, deal with the insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
An attorney can also help you determine whether you are eligible to claim for compensation and, if so, how much you might be entitled to receive.
If you decide to hire an attorney, be sure to choose one who has experience handling car accident cases. You should also choose an attorney who offers a free consultation so that you can get a better idea of what to expect.