5 Tips On What To Do After Crash That Wasn’t Your Fault
If you are hit by a car, and it wasn’t your fault, check out the necessary information below before filing a claim or lawsuit.
Make A Third-Party Insurance Claim
So you were hit at a red light, and the accident wasn’t your fault. How do you get your property damages and injuries covered? Your car accident attorney will handle everything for and will make sure you get as much money as possible for your damages.
But if you decide not to use an attorney, you will need to file a third-party insurance claim with the other driver’s insurance. The driver who hit you must contact their insurance company to report the crash, but you should contact them as well.
It’s essential to collect the following information at the accident scene:
- The other driver’s contact information, including their name, address, and phone number
- The other driver’s insurance and policy number
- Witness statements and contact information
- Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damages, and injuries
Collecting this information will give you the best chance to prove the other driver is responsible for your damages.
Before talking to the insurance company, write down everything you remember about the accident. It helps to do this as soon as possible, when your memory is fresh.
Call The Police
Even if you think no one is injured, you should call the police to file an accident report. Having an accident report could be critical in determining who is liable for the crash.
If the accident report says the other driver caused the accident, this will be powerful evidence when you contact the other driver’s insurance company.
Call Your Own Insurance Company
You also need to call your insurance company and report the accident. Even if you think it isn’t your fault, you’re required to inform your insurer of any accident.
Also, the other driver’s insurance may contest fault, so your insurance may need to cover your damages for now. The insurance companies can hash it out later and figure out who owes what to whom.
Consider Filing A Lawsuit Against At-Fault Driver
After contacting the driver’s insurance company, they may or may not cover your injuries and damages. It’s common for insurance companies to question your version of events; they may even claim that you caused the accident.
If you are getting the runaround from them, that’s when it could be time to bring in your car accident attorney and file a lawsuit. The attorney is experienced with insurance negotiations and can usually get you a better settlement when a lawsuit is threatened.
Many insurance companies would rather settle a claim than go through the time and expense of a court trial.
See A Doctor
It always is wise to go to the doctor after an accident. They will look you over and find out if you have any accident injuries. You may not think you are hurt but it can take a few hours or days for symptoms to become clear.
It could be critical during insurance negotiations to have the testimony of your doctor. They can prove that you came to them after the accident and they documented your injuries that they connected to the car accident.
The opinions of medical professionals carry a lot of weight with insurance companies and juries. Having this information on file will help you get more money in your settlement or verdict.
Being in an accident that wasn’t your fault is stressful, but following the tips mentioned here will help you get back to normal quickly.
