A car accident is one of America’s most common causes of injury, with over 12.6 million accidents occurring annually. This article covers the most common mistakes to avoid when filing a claim after an accident.
1. Not reporting the accident
As bbjlawyers.com explains, one of the most common mistakes in a car accident claim is failing to report the accident to your own insurance company immediately. Failing to report it may cause you to lose your eligibility for certain benefits, or it might make your claim ineligible. Insurance companies can be pretty forgiving, especially if you have filed an accident report with local authorities and closed their investigation without issuing a citation.
2. Leaving the scene without giving a notice
Some states require that you have given notice before leaving the scene of an accident. You should leave a written statement on your car if this is required. Failure to do so could result in your insurance company believing you tried to cover up the accident or that you are just plain dishonest.
3. Not making an accident report to local authorities
Before filing a claim, it might be wise to speak with local authorities and maintain phone records of your conversation with them. It will show them how serious you are about filing a claim and encourage them to move quickly on any investigation they may be conducting. You may also want to file a police report with them. You must do this before filing your claim, but it is crucial to remember that the police will only be able to enforce traffic laws and rules they already know about. It means you should ensure you are not breaking any laws or regulations before filing your claim.
4. Failing to take photos
Taking pictures of the accident scene is helpful not only to you but to your insurance company as well. If they do not have photos, they cannot prove that you were at fault in the accident or that another party’s negligence caused your injuries. The photos are also a part of the investigation report in your claim. It is important to note that if you fail to provide this information, you will have a much lower chance of claiming compensation for your injuries and may not be eligible for benefits.
5. Not seeking medical care immediately after an accident
You must seek immediate medical attention if you are injured in an accident. The longer you wait, the less likely your claim will be successful, if it is successful at all. Even if you do not suffer any severe injuries, this might be a good time to call your insurance company and let them know what happened so that they can ensure everything is okay with their policy.
As you can see, there are certain things to avoid when filing a car accident claim. These mistakes could cost you your compensation. If you have been involved in a car accident, you should contact an attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.