Learn What Steps To Take When You Are Involved In An Accident That Was Not Your Fault
Getting into an accident can be very scary, especially when you did not cause it. You want to make sure that you and everyone else who is involved in the accident is not injured. After making sure that everyone is okay, use the guide that follows to learn what steps to take to make sure that you properly protect yourself from having to pay for the damage that was done to your car on your own if you did not cause the accident.
Contact the Local Authorities
The first thing you need to do is contact the police and have them come to the accident scene. You need to get documentation that states who was at fault for the accident. Take the time to get contact information for any witnesses to the accident and also get the personal information for the person that caused the accident. Take a picture of their license, their insurance card, and their license plate. You also want to take the time to take pictures of the accident, the damage done to the cars, and your surroundings so that you can establish the positions of the vehicles.
Contact an Accident Attorney
Before contacting the insurance company for the person that caused the accident, contact an accident attorney to have them help you handle the situation properly. They will be able to talk to the insurance company for you to ensure that they are not able to convince you to take a lower amount for the damage that was done to your car than you deserve. The attorney will more than likely be able to reach a settlement agreement with the insurance company without actually having to fight in court. If the person does not have auto insurance, the attorney will be able to help you sue the person to get a settlement for the money you need to be made whole again.
Take the Car to Two Different Mechanics
Before you agree to a settlement amount, you need to determine how much it will cost to repair your car. You need to get an estimate for the repairs from two different mechanics so that you can prove how much the repairs are going to cost you. Getting an estimate from two different mechanics will prove that you are not trying to get more money than is needed to do the repairs.
When you get a settlement for the repairs, the attorney will also be able to get a settlement for any damage that was done to you physically in the accident, as well. You may need to go to a few doctors or specialist to ensure that it can be proven what physical injuries you suffered and if there are any long-term issues that may affect your way of life in the future. For more information, contact a firm such as Speers Reuland & Cibulskis, P.C.
Share
