Imagine you are driving through Durant on your usual commute to work. Traffic isn’t too heavy and you are making good time, until suddenly, from out of nowhere another car slams into you. Now, not only will you have to miss work for several days because of your injuries, you have to deal with repairing your car and paying for the medical bills. While you probably expect the other driver’s insurance company to handle all of the expenses since the accident was clearly his fault, sometimes it is not so easy.
Filing an auto accident insurance claim can be a complicated process. In general, insurance companies make the process complicated and do things to try to avoid paying a claim. Due to this reason, it is vital that you know how to handle the insurance company.
File a police report
One of the best things you can do to help your claim is to call the police after an accident. While the insurance company will often draw its own conclusion about who is at fault for an accident, a police report can support your case. Even in a minor accident, you should file a report in order to have this support.
Gather information
If possible, you should gather as much information at the scene of the accident as possible. This includes the name and contact information of the other driver and any witnesses. Also, get the other driver’s insurance information such as the name and phone number of the insurance company as well as the policy number. In addition, take pictures at the scene. Take photos of your car, the other driver’s car and the general area.
Call your insurer
Even if you expect the other driver’s insurance company to take full responsibility for the accident, you must also inform your insurer about the wreck. Your insurance agent may be able to give you some sound advice on what you should do next in order to protect your claim.
In a perfect world, following the correct steps should ensure that you receive payment for your injuries and other damages. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If the other driver’s insurance company tries to deny your claim or offers a settlement that is not enough to cover the costs, you might be able to take legal action to fight for the compensation you deserve.
