Getting into a car accident is a widespread thing nowadays. It happens even if you are a conscientious driver. After being involved in a car accident, one of the main things is to maintain composure, so you can better evaluate the situation. This guide will provide you with the necessary information regarding what you have to do when you get involved in a car accident.
1. Check Yourself and Evaluate the Damage
After an accident, you will most likely be shaken, and your nerves will not be stable. You have to make sure that you calm yourself down, and then check yourself thoroughly for any injuries. In addition, if you have passengers with you in the vehicle, you have to check on them as well and make sure they did not sustain any injuries themselves.
Then you should proceed to evaluate the damage done to your car. You will need to check on the other driver, too, and see whether they sustained any injury. The other driver involved should assess the damage to their car.
2. Call The Police to Document the Crash
You have to contact the police so they can write a report about the accident. The police report is important for the insurance company. The policeman should map the accident and write down the damages done to your car, whether you are the one responsible for the accident or not.
Make sure to exchange details regarding your driver’s license and the vehicle license with the other driver, and with the policeman as well. It is illegal to withhold this information from the police. In the vehicle license, the make and model of the car will be listed, as well as the number plate, and the insurance company that insured the vehicle. These documents are important when you file an insurance claim.
3. Determine Insurance
As we mentioned previously, you need to be aware of the insurance coverage. There are three types of car insurance. The first type of car insurance is liability coverage; this type of coverage is the bare minimum. It’s made to protect the driver. This covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other consequences suffered by those who sustained injuries in the accident. Liability coverage is for both whether you are held responsible for the accident without actually causing it or if you are really accountable for the accident.
The second type of car insurance is collision coverage. The collision coverage handles repairing the damages sustained by the vehicle no matter who was responsible for the accident. This type of insurance also provides you with a replacement vehicle with the same market value or gives you the down payment for a new vehicle. That’s in the case your vehicle was declared totaled. The third type is comprehensive coverage. This covers the vehicle no matter the situation is.
4. Insurance Claim
Often when you make a claim from your insurance company, they will most probably avoid settling. You need the proper paperwork, so when you make a claim, you are able to get the settlement. According to a car accident lawyer in Fredericksburg, insurance companies would do anything in order to pay a small compensation or completely deny your claim. So it’s recommended that you meet with a lawyer who is well rounded in insurance cases so they can get you the settlement you deserve.
If you don’t appoint a lawyer, you risk not getting a settlement; insurance companies are more experienced when it comes to car accidents because it’s a common occurrence in their field. That’s why you need to appoint someone with the necessary experience so you can enhance your chances of receiving the settlement.
5. Go For a Lower Car Insurance Rate
After an accident, your insurance company might increase the insurance rate depending on the severity of the accident. If that happens, you’ll need to find a different company to insure your vehicle. Insurance companies will not care whether you are the one responsible for the accident or not. They’ll still increase the rate. Sometimes they will increase it by 10% if you weren’t the one responsible. You need to thoroughly look into insurance companies and pick the price and policy that suits you best.
Car accidents are a stressful event, but you mustn’t be too consumed with shock and stress that accompanies the accident. That’s why you need to make sure to stay calm so you can take care of business. Both directly after the accident when you are collecting the necessary information for the documents, and also when you are negotiating with the insurance company about the appropriate settlement you need.