| How NOT to Screw Up an Auto Accident Settlement |
If you have never been a motor vehicle accident that resulted in having
to file a suit against the at-fault driver, then you still have time
to learn: Don’t screw up your auto accident settlement. That may seem
harsh, but sometimes you can innocently mess up your chances of
receiving what you should in the settlement.
I asked a group of folks for what they had learned when they went
through the auto accident settlement process. The advice covered what to do
at the accident scene, what and how to document everything, how to
deal with the other guy’s insurance company, and when it may be time to
hire an attorney.
Here are the top 10 bits of hard-earned wisdom:
1. While at the accident scene: call for medical assistance immediately
if anyone is injured. Remain at the scene of the accident.
2. Get information concerning the time, place, date, location, as well
as the other driver’s auto license number and driver's license name and
number. Write everything down!!! Get names and phone numbers of
witnesses and passengers.
3. Take pictures at the scene of the accident…of everything; your
vehicle, the other vehicle involved, the area the accident happened in, and
any personal property that may have been damaged in your vehicle. If
the police are there, point out what is damaged to them or to the
witnesses.
4. Contact your insurance company and be sure to get the claim number
assigned to the case. If the police are called, get a copy of the report
and DO NOT sign or admit any guilt.
5. DO NOT ADMIT CAUSE. Don't admit to doing anything. Even if you think
it was your fault, don't say it to anyone at the scene of the
accident.
6. Document everything. If you miss work or school, document the days
you missed, the reasons why you missed, and what that day was worth to
you financially. Have it signed by someone in authority at work or
school.
7. Be sure, if you are injured, to seek medical attention. Keep a
journal and record the names, addresses, and phone numbers of doctors,
hospitals and clinics. Record the date and reason for each office visit.
Make an entry every day in the journal describing any sort of physical,
mental or emotional problem you experience which may have been caused by
the accident.
8. If the other driver's insurance company contacts you, do not
respond. Send their correspondence to your insurance company or attorney, and
let them respond on your behalf.
9. Don't settle for just whatever the insurance company tells you they
will pay for the damages to your vehicle or property.
10. If there is a significant amount of money involved, consider hiring
a lawyer.
Here’s what a couple of folks learned, in their own words:
“I was in an auto accident 3 years ago and I got a settlement. It was
not as much as I should have received, but I got all I could. The one
thing I learned is that since my major medical insurance paid my medical
bills, they had a lien on my settlement. If I had not taken the person
to court that was at fault, my major medical insurance company would
have gotten the settlement instead of me. Consult with a car accident
attorney as soon after an accident as possible so that you know your
rights.”
“One thing I have learned from being in an auto accident is that one
must remain firm with the other driver's insurance company. They will try
to play games and push time limits etc. Stay on them. Keep track of
the times you called and who you spoke to. Then if you have to file a
complaint with the Department of Insurance (which we did) or seek the
assistance of an attorney, then you have proof of your attempts to
communicate and their unwillingness to help.”
If you will follow the advice of those who have “been there done that”
then there’s a good chance you won’t screw up your auto accident
settlement.
C.L. Hendricks has been a Jill-of-all-trades and become an expert in some. She writes for http://www.invitingsmiles.com and http://www.car-accident-advice.com, as well as several other websites on a variety of topics.
Article Source: UnArchived Articles
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