What Should I Do in the Event of a Car Accident?

Apr 15, 2020 | Personal Insurance

What to do in the event of a car accident? Accidents are our worst fears. It may strike prepared and unprepared people. Regardless of wrongdoing. Although we cannot predict who will have a car accident, its economic and psychological effects may be mitigated. Insurance helps. Let’s examine what may happen if the inevitable happens under various conditions.

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Does Your Car Have Insurance?

The vehicle insurance industry predicts an accident claim every 17.9 years. Though nobody wants a vehicle accident, it’s better to be prepared. Insuring your automobile will help.

Lacking auto insurance worsens the problem. The National Safety Council estimates that property damage crashes, including non-disabling injuries, cost $7,500. The average price is high and might rise, making you reconsider car insurance.

Is Car Insurance Required In Your State?

Auto Insurance is mandatory in all states except for New Hampshire and Virginia. But even if you happen to be living in those two states that do not require you to have vehicle insurance, you will still be required to pay for the damages you have caused.

On the other hand, you are in big trouble if you don’t have one and your state requires you to have car insurance. Aside from paying for the damages, you are also at risk of having your license revoked or suspended; you will be fined and may possibly spend some time in jail because, in most states, having no insurance when driving is a misdemeanor criminal offense.

Do You Live In A No-Fault or Fault State?

Most states are “fault” states, meaning the at-fault driver or his insurance must pay for the other driver, passenger, and those involved in the car accident’s health, life, livelihood, and property losses.

In “no-fault” jurisdictions, both parties may sue their insurance. Hence the at-fault motorist is seldom sued.

In no-fault states, medical bills, lost income, funeral and burial costs, and replacement and repair services are typically covered, but property damage is not.

What Are The Important Things I Ought To Do In Filing For An Insurance Claim?

The process of filing for an auto insurance claim varies from state to state. If you are unfamiliar with filing an insurance claim or feel like you are not being dealt with fairly, you may contact your state’s Department of Insurance. An insurance claim can either be a first-party claim or a third-party claim. You will likely file a third-party claim with the other driver’s auto insurance provider if you are the victim. Whereas when you are the wrongdoer, you probably will have to file a first-party claim with your insurer.

On a side note, you might want to consider doing the following in the event of a car accident since they are essential regardless of the state where you reside:

Call the Police

Although a police report is not imperative for all insurance companies, it will speed up things and give more credibility to your claim; some insurers are hesitant to pay if you do not present them with a police report. Take note, however, of the location of the accident because it will help you decide what to do.

Private Property

A car accident on private property is out of the police’s jurisdiction. They will likely tell you they would not come to make a report. Even so, you may still ask them to document the incident and provide you with a report; it does not hurt to ask.

Public Property

Most of the time, if a car accident happens on a public roadway, the police will come and make a report. Nevertheless, it is wise to make documentation of your own so that you will have evidence to prove or disprove any information in the report made by the police.

Seek Legal Assistance 

Before providing a statement to an insurance company, seek legal advice. An attorney offers various services that can help you, from getting compensation for your car to paying your medical bills. Some lawyers offer contingent fees where you will pay for the services only when compensated.

Contact your Insurance Company

You may do this directly without going through an attorney first. It is your choice to do so or not. It is advisable, though, to make sure all of the documents. These are IDs and paperwork needed in filing a claim to be on hand to avoid going back and forth with the claims department.

We’re Here For You

We hope you learned a lot about what to do in the event of a car accident. Have you already decided to take an insurance policy to cover you and your car? If you have not thought about it yet and want to know more, contact us today at Team AIS in Denver, CO!

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