Should You Call the Insurance Company After a Car Accident?
Car accidents are never convenient, especially when there is injury and damaged property involved. If you’re in a car accident, it might feel like a natural next step to call the insurance company. But if anyone involved is injured, or if there’s any kind of significant damage done to vehicles or property, you need to think before talking to the insurance company.
If the accident caused you injuries or property damages, it makes sense to start thinking about a claim. However, filing an insurance claim or giving a statement to insurance adjusters without getting legal advice could actually hurt your chances of getting compensation.
Why? Because when you contact an insurance company to make a claim or give a statement, they can use the information provided and the words you use to try to convince you to take a lower settlement than you deserve.
When you’re suffering from injuries and dealing with damages caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be facing long-term medical bills and other expenses that aren’t fair. You need the maximum compensation you can get, which isn’t what the insurance companies want to give. Instead of trying to make your case with the insurance company, tell your story to a personal injury attorney who truly cares about your wellbeing.
An insurance company will try to give you the minimum payment possible. A personal injury attorney will fight to get you the maximum payment possible!
What If I Already Talked to My Insurance Company?
Maybe you are reading this and feeling stressed because you’ve already talked to your insurance company. Maybe you’ve already made a claim or already given a statement. Don’t worry, it’s not too late to get the compensation you deserve. The legal team at Jeffrey E. Estes and Associates is highly experienced in dealing with the unfair practices of insurance companies. If you’ve tried to get the compensation you need, and your insurance company has denied it or tried to get you to settle for less, we’re here to help! If you’re wondering if the settlement offered by insurance adjusters is fair, we can give you the clarity you need.
How Much Compensation is Fair?
This question seems more simple than it is. You might come up with an estimate based on doctor’s bills, vehicle repair or replacement costs, and hours missed at work. But it’s more complicated than that. Many accident victims aren’t aware that they can also claim compensation for future medical costs, future rehabilitation fees, future lost wages, and even pain and suffering damages.
Pain and suffering is perhaps the most difficult area of compensation to calculate, and according to Law.com, it can include aches, pain, temporary and permanent limitations on activity, potential shortening of life, depression, embarrassment from scarring, and more.
A personal injury attorney can help you understand exactly how much compensation you’re entitled to and help you navigate the process of claiming it in San Diego, CA.
What Should I Do After An Accident?
The most important first step is, of course, to stop at the scene of the accident. It’s illegal to drive away from the scene of a car accident, and doing so will certainly not help your claim for compensation.
- Check if you are injured. If you or someone else is injured, call 911 or ask someone to call 911 immediately. If you are injured, try not to move. Wait for help.
- Check on other people involved in the accident.
- If you are not seriously injured, move to safety. If you can’t move your vehicle, just move yourself!
- Call 911. In California, it’s required by law to report to the police any accident that causes injury (however minor), death, or property damage over $1000, according to FindLaw.
- Exchange information with the other driver(s). You only need to exchange:
- Full name and contact information
- Insurance company and policy number
- Driver’s license and license plate number
- Make, model, and color of the other vehicle(s)
- Location of accident
Do NOT admit fault or discuss details of the accident with anyone.
Document the accident. This will be very important in your compensation claim later.
- Get the badge numbers and names of responding police officers, recommends USAttorneys.
- Get a copy of the accident report.
- Take pictures of your vehicle from different angles, showing the damage done to both cars. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of the other car’s license plate.
- Get names and addresses of all parties involved, including any passengers in the other vehicle.
- Talk to witnesses, and take down their contact info.
Call a personal injury attorney.
After being injured in a car accident in San Diego, CA, contact a personal injury attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve!
