A˳ Police report vs˳ collision report
If the police arrive at the scene of the collision, they will usually prepare a police report, even if you don’t ask for one˳ The officer will give you a case number – you will later use the case number to obtain the report˳ If the police do not respond to your collision, you should prepare and file a “collision report˳”
B˳ Damage to your vehicle
Getting your car repaired will probably be one of your top priorities˳ The law requires that insurance companies promptly pay property damage claims where fault for the collision has become reasonably clear˳ You may want to consider obtaining several repair estimates from quality auto repair facilities in your area˳ Start by asking family and friends for references˳
C˳ Call an attorney BEFORE you call the insurance company
The best advice is to contact an attorney before you call any insurance company˳ The attorney will be able, even over the telephone, to give you valuable advice before you do something that might damage your claims˳
If the collision was not your fault, you should contact the other party’s carrier, advise them of the collision facts, and ask that they confirm coverage for the collision˳ Unfortunately, just because somebody has an insurance card, it does not necessarily mean that his or her coverage is still valid or hasn’t been canceled due to non-payment˳ Always call to check˳
D˳ Determine the coverage provided in your own policy
1˳ Towing and Storage If your car needs to be towed, check to see if your policy pays some or the entire towing or storage bill˳
2˳ Rental While your car is being repaired (or while you’re looking for a new vehicle), check to see if you have car rental coverage under your own policy˳ If you did not cause the collision, the other party is responsible for your rental car expenses, but they may not pay your rental bill until the whole case is settled˳
E˳ Visit your doctor immediately if you need to
If you have any symptoms of injury or pain resulting from the collision, get checked out by a medical professional right away˳ If you are injured, but do not seek medical attention, you will be damaging your ability to get full compensation˳ You can be tough and ignore your pain, but don’t expect to get fair compensation for your injuries without proper medical attention˳
F˳ PIP or MedPay coverage
Your insurance policy may provide PIP or MedPay coverage˳ If you have this coverage, reasonable, necessary, and related medical bills will be paid˳ In order to request payment, you should contact your own carrier and submit the appropriate applications˳
G˳ Take photographs and maintain a diary of injury and its effects
A daily diary can help you document the effect injuries have had on you and your daily activities˳ Include information about medical treatment, prescribed exercises, and medications˳ Also, take photographs of your vehicle and your injuries until the injuries have resolved˳
Talk to a qualified attorney for free: If you get in an accident, you should speak to a qualified attorney˳ It’s almost always free˳ There’s many reasons you should do this (see my article entitled: Top 10 Reasons To Make A Free Call To An Attorney First)˳ The key is to make sure the attorney is qualified˳
If you like, you may call me or email me and I’d be glad to help you find the top attorney in your area˳ The best way to email me is to get your claim value by filling out the 10 questions in the free Claim Calculator link below˳ That will give me both your email address and specific information about your case (amount of property damage, medical bills, wage loss, etc˳) I’m able to find, through trial lawyer association list-serves and other means, the top attorneys in every area of the United States˳ I communicate directly with the attorney about your case particulars, and if he’s willing to meet with you, I connect you with the attorney so you can schedule a time to meet or speak about your case˳
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