There
are instances where a car accident doesn’t lead to serious injury. With these
fortunate situations, lawyers can’t step up to enforce your right to
compensation. However, even if no legal representation can be given in
no-injury car accident cases, you still need to protect your constitutional
rights from the insurance company. This does not necessarily mean that you do not have to contact a lawyer. In fact, even these types of accidents that seem minor with sometimes no injury at all, can have some hidden effects on your mental or physical health. In these cases contacting a trusted car accident lawyer may not immediately bring compensation, but it will assure that you are on the safe side. But if you do not get legal help, things may become complicated. You’ll even need to handle your claim on
your own.
Here’s what you can do when you’re involved in a no injury car accident.
1. Get your car fixed.
After a car accident, it’s essential to know the right steps
to gather and preserve the information you need. When it involves no injury,
the first thing to do is getting your car fixed. That’s because the damage to
your vehicle might range from minor dents and scratches to a total wreck.
If you don’t know what to do with your damaged car after the accident, below are some options to consider from the get-go:
If you don’t know what to do with your damaged car after the accident, below are some options to consider from the get-go:
● If it’s still drivable, get a
mechanic to inspect it. The inspection will tell you whether there are issues
that should be fixed immediately. So, have a professional check it to ensure
that it’s still safe for driving.
● If the car is no longer drivable,
have it towed to the repair shop for repair. However, you need to do it with
the right insurance company to prevent problems. Don’t forget to take a picture
of the damages first.
● When your car is a total wreck, ask
your insurance company for other recommendations. What’s important is that you
record the damage.
2. Understand the insurance claim process.
Dealing with the insurance company after the accident can be
complicated and stressful. There are ways to work with aggressive insurance
companies properly, and one of them is by having intimate know-how of their
legal procedures and tactics.
So, keep this insurance claim process in mind:
● If the person gets injured after an
accident, it’s advisable to report what happened to your insurance company.
● Once the insurance company knows
about the accident, they will investigate and determine the party responsible
for the crash. Taking pictures and gathering of any information take place at
this stage.
● They might give you a check for lost
wages. However, the acceptance of such check might hinder you from claiming
more compensation from the insurance company.
● Speak with the attorneys or visit
some legal websites to know more about your legal rights.
3. Know how to deal with the insurance
company.
Most insurance companies are those whose goal is to make
more money. While they are knowledgeable with the insurance laws and
well-equipped to help you, don’t assume that they protect your best interests.
Below are some ways for dealing with an insurance company:
Below are some ways for dealing with an insurance company:
● Read thoroughly what you sign.
Refrain from signing anything that you don’t understand. If you’re unsure, get
in touch with a lawyer to review the forms.
● Don’t allow yourself to be recorded
as this might be an attempt to confuse you with the details and use the
recording against you.
● Make use of a preferred provider so
you can save from the hassle of working with the insurance company.
● While you deal with the at-fault
driver’s insurance company, remember that they’re just going after their own
interests than yours.
● You might not have a better
understanding of the insurance claim processes.
That said, it’s essential to have an experienced legal professional by your
side to assist you throughout the process.
4. Gather pieces of evidence.
The crucial steps you have to take after a car accident can
be done easier by gathering the details necessary for your case. Moreover,
knowing what to look after your accident can change the outcome of your
insurance claim process.
Here’s how to collect evidence:
Here’s how to collect evidence:
● File a police report. It’s vital to
call proper authorities for the making of a police report. This report, for
instance, will keep the details of the accident more organized.
● Take pictures of the accident scene,
car position, traffic cameras around the accident scene,
vehicle damage, road conditions, and road signs.
● Speak with the witnesses and make
sure you obtain contact details for the important people involved in the
accident. Also, record the model, make, and year of the car involved in the collision.
Don’t forget to talk to the witnesses because they help determine fault in
these cases.
● Ask for a case review. Whether
you’ve been injured in the accident or not, it’s vital to consult an attorney
to get your case reviewed. Be sure you disclose everything to your attorney
including the accident details, the sequence of the events, and all the
information involved.
Conclusion
If
it’s your first time to get involved in a car accident, the entire process of
dealing with what happened can be confusing and frustrating. And now that you
have these tips in mind, you’ll be able to handle your claim properly even
without the legal representation of an attorney. So, have no fear and get
yourself ready.