It happened.
You were in a car accident.
It’s a moment every driver dreads. You want to be safe on the roads, but sometimes things happen. And you also know there are a lot of headaches involved when you wreck. Insurance claims, dealing with repairs, and possibly legal action.
Those thoughts alone may deter drivers from reporting an accident to their car insurance company. They fear a rate increase and often believe it’s best to handle damage costs with the other driver.
But there’s a problem with that decision. Here’s why it’s critical always to report an incident to your insurance company right away.
Your Rate May Not Increase
Reporting an accident isn’t the same as filing a claim. Your insurance company needs the other driver’s information (driver’s license, insurance coverage, license plate, etc.) if a claim needs to be filed. Take plenty of pictures at the scene to show evidence of damage. Many major carriers will let you upload this information directly on your smartphone.
Underinsured Drivers and Unclear Damage
The other driver may not be insured. Or damage and injuries that weren’t evident at the scene of an accident may be discovered much later after the initial wreck is cleared. Reporting the incident can prevent any problems with claims later.
Legal Action May Be Needed
You’ll also want to call the police and file an official report. It’s imperative to have this information if legal action is needed.
If the accident is not your fault, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will seek to pay you as little as possible.
Their goal is to keep claims costs low. But unfortunately, that means you may not have enough money to cover the damage caused by the accident.
That’s where we come in.
Our attorneys work directly with insurance companies to get you the maximum claim amount. Being in an accident is stressful enough. Let us handle getting you the payment you need. If you’ve been in an accident, reach out to our team to discuss your case.
