When you have had a car accident and you were not to blame, you not only have to deal with your own insurer but you will need to communicate with that at fault driver to get some much needed information as well. This is because the at-fault driver’s insurance company may be responsible for compensating you for your injuries and the damage to your vehicle. Before you get too involved with the process contact an experienced personal injury attorney who will advise you on what you need to do to ensure you get the compensation package you deserve.
The Information You Need to Gather
The driver who’s responsible for causing the collision with your car is required to report the accident to his or her auto insurance company. As car drivers are never too eager to contact their insurers you should take it into your hands to do so.
This ensures that both insurance companies know the situation. Before this process can begin there’s some important information that needs to be collected at the scene of the accident. This includes:
- the at-fault driver's name and address;
- the name of the at-fault driver’s insurance company and policy information;
- contact details and written statements from eye witnesses;
- photos taken at the scene of the accident.
All this information helps to support your claim that the accident wasn’t your fault. Your auto insurance company may have a mobile app available that explains to you the best method to use to get information and a checklist. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has a free smart phone app., called WreckCheck, that can assist you to collect and exchange the correct information.
The Process to Follow After the Accident
Once you have gathered all the useful information you need, you should inform the at-fault driver’s insurer. You only need to provide the key facts of the accident. The insurance adjuster will also use the police report and the driver’s and witnesses’ reports before deciding to honor a claim.
Some auto insurance companies may tell you not to get your vehicle repaired or start treatment for your injuries until it has firmly established who or what caused the accident. You will then need at least an email from the at fault driver’s insurer establishing it is accepting that its policy holder caused the accident and it will be paying damages for both injuries and auto repairs.
You May Want Assistance from a Personal Injury Lawyer
If the at-fault driver’s insurer isn’t prepared to cooperate you will need the help of a personal injury attorney to work on your behalf to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for injuries that aren’t your fault. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation to speak with a lawyer who may be able to help you.
