Accident, Injury & Settlement Tips - What Should I Do Immediately After The Accident?
A.
Police report vs.
collision report If the police arrive at the scene of the collision, they will usually prepare a police report, even if you don't ask for one.
The officer will give you a case number - you will later use the case number to obtain the report.
If the police do not respond to your collision, you should prepare and file a "collision report.
" B.
Damage to your vehicle Getting your car repaired will probably be one of your top priorities.
The law requires that insurance companies promptly pay property damage claims where fault for the collision has become reasonably clear.
You may want to consider obtaining several repair estimates from quality auto repair facilities in your area.
Start by asking family and friends for references.
C.
Call an attorney BEFORE you call the insurance company The best advice is to contact an attorney before you call any insurance company.
The attorney will be able, even over the telephone, to give you valuable advice before you do something that might damage your claims.
If the collision was not your fault, you should contact the other party's carrier, advise them of the collision facts, and ask that they confirm coverage for the collision.
Unfortunately, just because somebody has an insurance card, it does not necessarily mean that his or her coverage is still valid or hasn't been canceled due to non-payment.
Always call to check.
D.
Determine the coverage provided in your own policy 1.
Towing and Storage If your car needs to be towed, check to see if your policy pays some or the entire towing or storage bill.
2.
Rental While your car is being repaired (or while you're looking for a new vehicle), check to see if you have car rental coverage under your own policy.
If you did not cause the collision, the other party is responsible for your rental car expenses, but they may not pay your rental bill until the whole case is settled.
E.
Visit your doctor immediately if you need to If you have any symptoms of injury or pain resulting from the collision, get checked out by a medical professional right away.
If you are injured, but do not seek medical attention, you will be damaging your ability to get full compensation.
You can be tough and ignore your pain, but don't expect to get fair compensation for your injuries without proper medical attention.
F.
PIP or MedPay coverage Your insurance policy may provide PIP or MedPay coverage.
If you have this coverage, reasonable, necessary, and related medical bills will be paid.
In order to request payment, you should contact your own carrier and submit the appropriate applications.
G.
Take photographs and maintain a diary of injury and its effects A daily diary can help you document the effect injuries have had on you and your daily activities.
Include information about medical treatment, prescribed exercises, and medications.
Also, take photographs of your vehicle and your injuries until the injuries have resolved.
Talk to a qualified attorney for free: If you get in an accident, you should speak to a qualified attorney.
It's almost always free.
There's many reasons you should do this (see my article entitled: Top 10 Reasons To Make A Free Call To An Attorney First).
The key is to make sure the attorney is qualified.
If you like, you may call me or email me and I'd be glad to help you find the top attorney in your area.
The best way to email me is to get your claim value by filling out the 10 questions in the free Claim Calculator link below.
That will give me both your email address and specific information about your case (amount of property damage, medical bills, wage loss, etc.
) I'm able to find, through trial lawyer association list-serves and other means, the top attorneys in every area of the United States.
I communicate directly with the attorney about your case particulars, and if he's willing to meet with you, I connect you with the attorney so you can schedule a time to meet or speak about your case.
Police report vs.
collision report If the police arrive at the scene of the collision, they will usually prepare a police report, even if you don't ask for one.
The officer will give you a case number - you will later use the case number to obtain the report.
If the police do not respond to your collision, you should prepare and file a "collision report.
" B.
Damage to your vehicle Getting your car repaired will probably be one of your top priorities.
The law requires that insurance companies promptly pay property damage claims where fault for the collision has become reasonably clear.
You may want to consider obtaining several repair estimates from quality auto repair facilities in your area.
Start by asking family and friends for references.
C.
Call an attorney BEFORE you call the insurance company The best advice is to contact an attorney before you call any insurance company.
The attorney will be able, even over the telephone, to give you valuable advice before you do something that might damage your claims.
If the collision was not your fault, you should contact the other party's carrier, advise them of the collision facts, and ask that they confirm coverage for the collision.
Unfortunately, just because somebody has an insurance card, it does not necessarily mean that his or her coverage is still valid or hasn't been canceled due to non-payment.
Always call to check.
D.
Determine the coverage provided in your own policy 1.
Towing and Storage If your car needs to be towed, check to see if your policy pays some or the entire towing or storage bill.
2.
Rental While your car is being repaired (or while you're looking for a new vehicle), check to see if you have car rental coverage under your own policy.
If you did not cause the collision, the other party is responsible for your rental car expenses, but they may not pay your rental bill until the whole case is settled.
E.
Visit your doctor immediately if you need to If you have any symptoms of injury or pain resulting from the collision, get checked out by a medical professional right away.
If you are injured, but do not seek medical attention, you will be damaging your ability to get full compensation.
You can be tough and ignore your pain, but don't expect to get fair compensation for your injuries without proper medical attention.
F.
PIP or MedPay coverage Your insurance policy may provide PIP or MedPay coverage.
If you have this coverage, reasonable, necessary, and related medical bills will be paid.
In order to request payment, you should contact your own carrier and submit the appropriate applications.
G.
Take photographs and maintain a diary of injury and its effects A daily diary can help you document the effect injuries have had on you and your daily activities.
Include information about medical treatment, prescribed exercises, and medications.
Also, take photographs of your vehicle and your injuries until the injuries have resolved.
Talk to a qualified attorney for free: If you get in an accident, you should speak to a qualified attorney.
It's almost always free.
There's many reasons you should do this (see my article entitled: Top 10 Reasons To Make A Free Call To An Attorney First).
The key is to make sure the attorney is qualified.
If you like, you may call me or email me and I'd be glad to help you find the top attorney in your area.
The best way to email me is to get your claim value by filling out the 10 questions in the free Claim Calculator link below.
That will give me both your email address and specific information about your case (amount of property damage, medical bills, wage loss, etc.
) I'm able to find, through trial lawyer association list-serves and other means, the top attorneys in every area of the United States.
I communicate directly with the attorney about your case particulars, and if he's willing to meet with you, I connect you with the attorney so you can schedule a time to meet or speak about your case.
