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Did you know that there are roughly 6 million reported car accidents every year?
That’s a striking number, isn’t it? The probability of an accident occurring is higher than you may think. It’s always best to be ready, just in case you’re involved in one.
While you may assume that your insurance cover will always step in to help, it may not. Certain mistakes in filing car accident claims can jeopardize your compensation. Sadly, few people know when they’re making these mistakes.
Lucky for you, we’ll be looking at some of the most common ones in this article. Here are the mistakes to avoid during the claim filing process.
Panicking
Sure, it’s natural to feel anxious and panic after an accident. But, overreacting could escalate the already stressful situation.
Take your time to breathe, and don’t interact with the other party until you’ve calmed down. Remember, anything you say can be used against you and jeopardize your car accident case.
Only communicate when exchanging insurance details and contact information. Then, let the police and your lawyers handle the case from there.
Postponing Treatment
You’d be surprised by the number of car accident victims who don’t seek medical attention. Sometimes, you may feel fine and not see the need to visit your doctor after an accident. After all, who wants to deal with the excessive medical bills, right?
While this may seem like a logical decision, it isn’t. Failure to see a doctor could have serious consequences in the future. Unobservable car accident effects like brain injuries may cause permanent brain damage.
Also, insurers could claim that your injuries weren’t serious and reduce your settlement. Or, even worse, they could argue that your injuries are fake and deny your claim.
The best way to avoid this is to seek immediate medical attention. That’ll give your case more credibility and act as proof of injury should your case move to court.
Failing to Report to the Relevant Authorities
Did you know that roughly 10 million car accidents go unreported each year? Yes, you read that right. The number of unreported car accident cases is higher than that of reported cases.
Exchanging contact information and insurance details isn’t usually enough. You may be in trouble if the other party decides to pursue a personal injury claim. Or, you may lack evidence to pursue a personal injury claim of your own if you don’t involve the authorities.
It’s always best to call the police after a car accident. They’ll take both parties’ statements, which may prove helpful if you decide to take your case to court. Besides, they’ll also keep all the parties involved calm.
Postponing Filing Car Accident Claims
Most states have varying statutes of limitations for car accident cases. Waiting until your state’s claim filing deadline nears could affect your case.
Insurance adjusters may argue that you took your time to manufacture evidence. Others may completely deny your claim if the statute expires.
So, start the claim filing process as soon as possible. Hire a car accident lawyer to help with your case from the beginning. This way, you can focus on getting better as all communication will go through them.
Accepting an Insurance Offer Too Fast
Insurance companies, like all other businesses, aim to maximize their profits. Many aren’t willing to pay victims what their claims are worth from the beginning.
Don’t be surprised if the other party’s insurer contacts you soon after your accident. They’ll give you a lowball offer with the hopes of paying the least possible amount on your claim.
The offer may appear enticing, but it rarely accounts for future accident-related expenses. Insurers know this, so they’ll ask you to sign a document waiving your future claim rights.
Always consult with your car accident lawyer before agreeing to anything. They’ll analyze your injuries and the damage to your car to determine if an offer is worth it.
Not Having Enough Evidence
Accident victims rarely take the time to collect evidence after a car accident. Not gathering proof gives insurance adjusters ammunition to deny your claim.
So, collect hard proof through photographs and medical and police reports. Your lawyer can help if you’ve sustained injuries and want to focus on getting better. Evidence is hard to argue with, so you’ll likely have a smooth claim filing process.
Talking to the Other Party’s Insurer
You’ll likely receive a call from the other party’s insurer soon after an accident. The greatest mistake is offering information about the accident without your lawyer.
Insurance adjusters may use the information to weaken your claim and consequent compensation. After all, they’re in the business of saving their companies money. So, avoid talking to the other party’s insurer until you get a car accident attorney.
But, you’ll need to report the accident to your insurance company after it occurs. Not doing so could violate your policy and attract penalties.
Admitting Fault
While this may seem like an obvious thing not to do, many victims make this mistake. Saying something as simple as “I’m sorry” may be an admission of guilt.
So, be careful when making your statement or talking to the other party. If you can, limit your interactions with the other party until you have your lawyer present.
Representing Yourself
You may want to represent yourself after the other party’s insurer contacts you. However, that’s risky because you may not get fair compensation. Plus, you’ll have to fill out car accident claim documents by yourself, which can be exhausting.
Instead, find a reliable and reputable car accident lawyer to represent you. They’ll handle everything during the claim filing process, so you don’t have to lift a finger. You can follow this link to reach car accident attorneys.
Increase Your Odds by Avoiding These Mistakes When Filing Car Accident Claims
Making any of these mistakes when filing car accident claims can affect your case. Something as simple as talking to the other party’s insurer can jeopardize your claim.
And simply saying “I’m sorry” can be considered an admission of guilt. So, be careful with how you behave after a car accident. The best way to protect yourself is to hire a lawyer to guide you through car accident cases’ dos and don’ts.
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