A car is often your chosen vehicle of transport to work, and what with the frequent need to be on the road in traffic, there is always a danger of being involved in accidents. This accident need not be your fault, but in an accident, both you and your car can sustain damages.
In such cases, it is important to collect the information of the other driver’s insurance so that you can file for a car accident settlement claim for both personal injury and property damage. This has to be filed against the other driver’s insurance company, and that is why the need for collecting the required information as a first step. Once you file a claim, the insurance company will send you a settlement offer. In most cases, this will be much lower than the amount you have claimed, and you will need to negotiate for what you consider fair and equitable.
When you begin this process, you will do well to get advice from an attorney who is familiar with all the procedures and documentation needed to justify your claim. You must also make sure that you have all the documents needed to support your claims. This can be copies of the police report that is essential for your case, photos of the damage to your property or vehicle, doctor’s reports about the injuries to you, and any other witness statement that you can obtain.
The claim has to be filed with the insurance company of the other driver involved in the accident, but if that driver is not insured or has inadequate insurance, you can even file a claim with the insurance company that has given you the risk cover. The insurance company will send you a letter confirming receipt of your claim and that they are starting the process. This in no way means that they have accepted your claim.
Insurance companies will always try to fight their way out of paying any amount, as this affects their own bottom lines. If you have an attorney at your side, you will have a better chance of getting some money out of your car accident settlement. You can always appoint an attorney on condition that he will get paid only if you win the claim. Attorneys will agree to such terms if they see that you have the right documentation that strengthens your case.
A negotiation is preferred by all insurance companies as this saves them the costs and trouble of going to court. On your part, you must be patient and confident during negotiations, without having a closed mind. It is only when you reject any top offer made by the insurance company that you will have to look at the long and often difficult process of going to court for the settlement.
If you do accept their top offer, you will need to sign a settlement agreement, in which you are agreeing to accept the money offered and will desist from taking any additional action against the opposing driver and the insurance company.
