Car Accident Claim
If you are the victim of a car accident, you may have already noticed just how complicated your life has become within a short period. You may be worried about how you are going to pay for your vehicle repairs, medical bills, and other costs associated with the vehicle collision. You may turn to your insurance company to file a claim, in hopes that your expenses can be compensated. Without realizing it, there may be ways that you are hindering your chances of getting a fair settlement based on how you handle the incident.
Failing to Obtain a Police Report
When you file a claim to your insurance company, they will need as much proof as possible for the accident. If you didn’t call the police when the accident occurred, chances are it will be your story against the other driver’s statement. Not requesting a police report is one of the top ways that you could ruin your chances of getting sufficient compensation. When an officer arrives, it is important that you ask for a Traffic Collision Report to be filed and get information on how to receive a copy in the days to follow.
Not Getting Medical Care Right Away
Car accident injuries can be elusive. They may not show up until weeks later, and it’s possible that your insurance claim has been closed by then. This means you may have to pay out of pocket for medical treatment. Depending on the severity of the injury, this may cost you thousands of dollars in the long run. Since car accident injuries are often not immediately obvious, it’s best to be cautious and visit the emergency room for an examination.
Not Telling Your Doctor About All of Your Symptoms
When visiting your doctor for an exam following a car accident, it is imperative that you inform him or her of every small symptom you feel, even if you think it’s irrelevant at the time. What began as a minor ache could be a symptom of something more serious brewing. It may be viewed as suspicious if you suddenly report another injury to your insurance company that wasn’t listed on your original claim.
Providing a Statement to an Insurance Adjuster
After reporting a claim to your insurance company, you may receive several phone calls from various representatives. One of these people may be an insurance adjuster, who initially comes off as a friendly person who just wants to hear how you are doing. However, an insurance adjuster is the person who evaluates what your claim is worth and how much you should get in compensation. So if you make statements like, “I feel just fine,” or, “I don’t have any injuries” when it’s too soon to tell how your body is doing, you could have your claim denied completely. Never provide a formal, recorded statement to anyone calling from an insurance company during this time. If you need extra assistance, you can always get help from an experienced car accident lawyer, like a car accident lawyer in Charlottesville, VA.
Thanks to MartinWren, P.C. for their insight into the ways you could be ruining your car accident claim before even going to court.