Imagine driving to your favorite store in Valdosta for some retail therapy after a long week at work. As you come to a stop behind other cars at the intersection, the car behind you does not. Now your car vaguely resembles an accordion and you halve a range of injuries that may keep you out of work for at least couple of weeks.
When you become a victim of a negligent driver, it can cost you time and money and even result in mental anguish. But, you should not have to pay because of someone else’s reckless act. Like many others after a car accident, you might be able to file a personal injury claim. Such claims can be impacted by many things, including what a person does following a crash. For some general tips on what to do after a car accident, read further.
1. Gather evidence
While you are still at the scene of the accident, it can be important that you gather as much information as possible. This includes things like the other driver’s name, phone number and insurance information. If you can, you may want to take pictures of the area, including the damage to both cars. Also, it can be important to make a note of the make, model, color and vehicle identification number of the other car. In addition, you may want to try to get statements and contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident. Unfortunately, if your injuries are too severe, this may not be possible, in which case you might have to rely on the police report when filing a claim.
2. Call your insurance company
Generally, once you are in a position to do so, you need to call your insurance company and report the accident. Even if you expect the other driver’s insurance to fully compensate you, you must still notify your insurer. It can be important to be completely honest about the accident and not give any opinion statements. It is often best to simply state the facts as they happened. Also, you may want to carefully review your policy so that you know what obligations your insurer must fulfill.
3. Decide if you should repair or scrap
You may need to decide if you should keep and repair your car or take it as a total loss. An important factor in such a decision can be whether the expenses are more than the car is currently worth. You may be able to take a total loss on the car and receive a check for its full value from the other driver’s insurance. However, if the damage is relatively minor, it may be better to allow the insurer to pay for the repairs.
If you have suffered an injury due to a car wreck with a negligent driver, you might be able to file a claim for compensation. Having quality information on the rights one has and the steps one can take can be important when pursuing such claims.