Know the right things to do after a car accident.
Many people do not know what to do after involved in a car crash. It is better for you to take precautions when a car wreck occurs, by knowing the basic steps to take after an accident.
Questions from usual car wreck cases and their solutions:
What do I do when I did not call the police after the car wreck, but now I am hurting?
Being in a situation where your injuries show up after the accident occurs often, it is substantial that you do not give up. Many people believe just because they feel okay at the exact moment, they will be okay in the future, reason why they think that it might not be necessary to call the police but this is a mistake.
Right after a car wreck, most people do not have many injuries, but the day after, those injuries start showing up and you might be sore and hurt. After an accident, most people are concerned about their car instead of themselves, remember that your life is more important than your car.
Make sure to document everything.
Nowadays it is easier to document car accidents because of smartphones. A picture can help figure out who was at fault in a wreck. Make sure you have all the information you can at the moment of the accident. Every detail of information that you give to your attorney will help in your favor.
Take pictures of every detail from the scene. For example, if the airbags come out, make sure to take a picture of that and every other damage to your car and the other person’s car. All this evidence will help determine who was at fault. If you are on a busy road or freeway, it is better to stay in the car for your safety. In this case, make sure to call the police and turn on the hazard lights on your car.
What is the right thing to do after a car accident?
After a car accident, many people feel that if the accident is minor, there is no need to call the police. The right thing to do is to call the police, even if the accident is minor; this prevents the other person to think of an excuse about how they did not cause the accident when it was their fault.
Sometimes the police would not come, but there is something that you can do which is the blue form. You also have the option to document the wreck to your Department of Public Safety. It is critical that you have at least some sort of documentation of the accident.
Remember that it is okay to go over to the other car and ask if everyone is okay. If there are injuries, it is crucial that you call the police and report the accident, this will help you and the other person be safe, and for the car wreck case to solve easier and faster.
Should I get out of my car if someone rear-ended me?
If it is safe then you should get out of your car, check on the other person and ask if they are okay, call an ambulance if necessary. When going through a car accident, you need to make sure that you never admit fault. Even if it is your fault, be sure to have a lawyer before you say that it is your fault. You could be thinking that the accident was your fault when it was not.
What should I do if I hit an object with my car?
In this case, you would have to report the accident to your own insurance company. If it is more than $500 worth of damage, then the insurance company might want to do it, if it is less than that it is better to fix it on your own since your insurance rates will go up.
How can I get my car fixed if it has been a while?
Always make sure that you know your car’s location when towed. A lot of times, police officers write that information down for you. If the other person is at fault, then you want to contact the insurance company stating that your car is in a storage unit. By taking this step, your insurance will have notice of the state of your car, and be able to send someone as soon as possible to give you an estimate of the accident.
The other car insurance will want to know everything about your injuries and every detail about the accident. You do not have to tell them anything about it since it is not your duty. They are not there to help you but to help their client. Insurance companies make billions of dollars, and will not want to pay another person’s injuries.
Do not feel guilty by not giving them information.
If your car is not totaled, then you are entitled to a rental car of the equivalent that you drive. Most insurance companies do not approve of this. You are allowed to the body shop of your choice, and get an estimate of the car damages done. If your car is totaled, then there is not rental car eligibility.
To know if your car is totaled, you must know the number of damages done to your car. A car is considered totaled when the damage repair is 70% more than the value of your car. You need to know this information, so you are sure that what the insurance company is doing is right and everything falls in your favor.
Do I have to talk to the auto insurance company if I get a call back from them?
There is no need for you to speak to them. Do not agree to give a recorded statement, since it can affect you negatively, even if you are stating the truth.
The insurance company will ask you questions wanting you to answer what they want. It is better for you to have a lawyer on your side to help you.
If you have property damage, then you should call the adjuster and tell them where the car damages are. Do not call the adjuster for other issues that are not property damage. It is necessary to check the amount of money that given for your injuries and damages before you sign the actual check.
In Conclusion
Remember to talk to the other person if you can. If they are in a bad mood it is better to avoid speaking to them; you do not want to get into a worse situation than the one you are in because of emotional conflict.
Stay alert on the road to avoid accidents. When involved in a car wreck, assure to have an attorney on your side before speaking to the insurance company.
Always document the car accident and have pictures of evidence, download our FREE Accident Form, and do not forget to call the police for you to have proper documentation of the wreck.