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How to Get the Most Out of Car Accident Settlements
from:With so many vehicles in this country, any person in the United States runs a high chance of being in at least one accident in their lifetime (if they haven’t been in one already.) Given the number of automobile-related accidents in the United States (2 million injuries with about 40,000 fatalities annually) it is not difficult to figure out what is the most common insurance settlement claimed for personal injuries.
An auto accident insurance settlement is the amount of money you (as the insured victim) get for being in an auto accident. This is to compensate for injuries, medical bills, loss of income and/or the ability to work resulting from the accident. If ever you become involved in an automobile-related accident, there are certain things you need to remember to do in order to properly claim insurance.
After the Accident
First of all, immediately call the police even if no injury resulted. This is so that you can file a report of the accident. These police reports are used for insurance purposes in order to find out who was responsible and determine liability.
An auto accident report includes names and documented interviews with everyone involved in the accident as well as those who have witnessed it. Photographs and diagrams of the accident scene are included as well. Feel free to make your own set of documentation to augment the report. It’s better to get everything documented as soon as possible to avoid speculations and uncertainties when investigating your claim.
The insurance settlement process begins after you file a claim with the insurance company. A claims adjuster will take the facts of the case (including the police report) and determine liability of the accident as well as the amount of bodily injuries and damage to property incurred from the accident.
The most common injuries from auto accidents are whiplash, head/brain injury, joint, bone, and muscle injuries. It is highly recommended that victims in an auto accident consult with a doctor immediately. This is to secure documents (medical records) that can back up claims for body injuries. The longer you take from the time of the accident to the time you consulted a doctor to verify the injury, the harder it is to prove connection to the accident itself.
After the accident, it is important that you, as the victim, make sure you do not do or say anything that can be taken as admitting blame for the accident. Something as innocent as saying “It may have been my fault” could be damaging to your insurance settlement.
Get Professional Assistance
Given the shock you’ve gone through with the incident, the need to remember a lot of things to avoid compromising your insurance claim, and the fact that claims adjusters will always look for ways to get the least amount of money approved for your compensation, it is best to get the services of a legal professional to look after your interests.
To get off at a good start, it will help your lawyer a lot if you can tell him about the terms of your auto accident insurance policy. To be able to do this, you need to acquaint yourself with your policy beforehand.
Now that you have a lawyer to look after your interests and has been briefed as to the terms of your policy, you need to figure out with him or her whether you wish to file the claim or not. Regardless of who is liable for the accident, if it is at all possible to settle without involving the insurance company (which means paying out of pocket), it is recommended that you do so to keep your insurance record clean and saving the policy for a possible claim much greater than what you have right now.
Keep Track of Information
If filing the claim has been decided on, you need to be able to supply as much information as you can to the company. (Remember the police reports and medical consultation forms?) Do not forget to make multiple copies of the information you receive and always ask for a confirmation receipt for the documents you submit to the company.
Also remember to (or have your lawyer) document the conversations and exchanges done with the company. Take note of the names of the agents who call as well as the name of their supervisors. Make sure to let the company know that you are doing this and furnish them a copy as well.
By going through these measures, you secure better leverage to support your claim leaving the insurance company little leeway and opportunity to reduce what should be due you.
Being aware in advance of what you need to do should such an incident occur will put you in a better position and frame of mind to handle the accident and come out none the worse for wear.
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