If you’ve never been in a car accident before, it can be a nightmare trying to figure out the best way to proceed and how to file an insurance claim against the driver at fault, but fear not. Here we will explain how to go about filing a claim as well as tips for helping it to go your way.
What to Do After the Accident
After the initial accident, you will likely never deal with the other driver again. Since you will likely only be in contact with their insurance company, and since insurance companies are notorious for weaseling their way out of obligation, gathering as much information as possible immediately after the accident can be crucial. Get contact info for the following:
- The other driver
- The other driver’s insurance company
- All potential witnesses to the accident
- Any police officers that arrive on the scene
It’s also a good idea to snap pictures if possible of the following:
- The entire scene (try to take wide pictures as well as close-ups so that the locations of the vehicles can be seen)
- Close-ups of the damage to both yours and the other driver’s cars
- The license plate of each car
Dealing with the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
First and most importantly, never forget that the other driver’s insurance is definitely NOT on your side. They only say nice things when they are trying to trick you into settling a deal early for far, far less than what is fair.
Insurance companies are very good at getting out of paying for things they should, and trick thousands of people every year into taking unfair compensation, which leaves the victims struggling to pay for medical expenses, car repairs, and other damages. It is always advisable to get help from an experienced personal injury lawyer, as they know how to cut through any malarkey the insurance companies throw your way. You deserve fair compensation for damages sustained due to another driver’s actions.