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Legal concerns relating to auto insurance claims can be complicated. Additionally, it is frequently challenging for accident victims and their families to get the compensation they are due from insurance companies. One of the most important things you can do is ensure that you have adequate coverage before an accident and fully understand your auto insurance policy. In the event you are involved in an accident, there are certain steps you should take to ensure that your right to compensation for your damages is preserved. Contact an experienced car accident attorney if you have been in an accident and need legal counsel regarding your policy and legal options to obtain compensation following an accident.
When shopping around for insurance, there are several steps you should take to ensure that you are adequately covered in the event that you later become involved in an accident. Below, find some auto insurance do’s and don’ts when it comes to procuring auto insurance.
● Do not reduce your coverage in order to save money. You’ll be at a larger financial risk if you get into an accident, even though it might lower your monthly premium.
● Don’t regularly switch providers. Switching insurance companies frequently could result in you losing out on benefits like loyalty discounts.
● Reduce endorsements to reduce costs. Opting out of additional endorsements like new vehicle replacement, accident forgiveness, and roadside assistance in order to save money each month rather than changing your normal auto insurance coverage is advisable. If you must reduce the cost of your auto insurance, cut out on extras like roadside assistance or car rentals. That’s what you should concentrate on if you’re going to make any changes, not your liability, collision, or comprehensive coverage.
● Review your insurance at key junctures in your life. When your financial situation changes, you should review your coverages to ensure that your assets are covered.
If you are involved in a car accident, it is important that you can obtain compensation for your damages. However, as insurance companies are often for-profit corporations, they have been known to offer low settlement payouts or even reject claims in an attempt to cut costs and boost profits. If you have been involved in a car accident, it is always advisable to receive a free case evaluation from an experienced auto accident attorney to ensure that your right to just compensation following a car accident is protected. With that being said, following a car accident there are steps that you can take to protect the integrity of your claim
● Compile as much information as you can regarding the accident. Obtaining the other driver’s contact and insurance information, witness data, the police report number, and, if practical, taking pictures of the vehicles involved and the scene of the collision should be your top priorities.
● Review your insurance agreement. Spend some time carefully going over your auto insurance policy. You need to know the types and limits of your acquired insurance. Your attorney can help you go over the specifics of your policy should you retain one to assist you.
● Speak with your insurance provider. Your insurance company may use the fact that you failed to disclose the accident as justification for rejecting your claim. Simple facts are all that are required. Keep written records of all interactions with insurance adjusters, agents, and anyone else who is engaged in the claims process.
● Keep bills and receipts. You must keep track of all expenses related to your collision, such as those for a rental car and/or auto repairs, as well as any related medical bills. All documents should be kept in their own file or folder.
● Be mindful of any deadlines associated with your insurance claim. Many insurance providers demand that you submit a claim within a predetermined time frame following an accident or injury. In order to give the attorney enough time to analyze and prepare your case, you should speak with a lawyer well before that deadline.
● Don’t concede fault or place blame. Never concede or assign blame when speaking to other drivers at the crash scene, police officials, or insurance adjusters. In actuality, determining fault requires a comprehensive examination of the available facts. Keep it factual and avoid voicing any opinions.
● Avoid providing insurance with a recorded statement. Simply put, you should wait to give an oral or recorded statement to your insurance company or the insurance of another driver until you have first consulted with your attorney.
● Don’t believe your insurance agent’s advice in its entirety. A claims adjuster or agent for an insurance company may explain to you what is covered by your (or the other driver’s) policy and may even provide you with an estimated “value” of your case. Make an appointment with a lawyer rather than just accepting their estimates.
● Refrain from agreeing to a release or accepting a settlement without legal counsel. Soon after your accident, an insurance company can offer you compensation and ask you to sign a release. You should wait until it has been read by a lawyer before signing a release that would prevent you from pursuing future legal action or accepting a settlement offer.
At Goldblatt + Singer, the St. Louis Injury Law Firm, we want accident victims and their families to safeguard their rights, so we offer free consultations. We urge you to get in touch with us if you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a collision so that we may examine your case, which will include all relevant insurance policies and any settlement offers that have been made to you. Our main objective is to ensure that you receive fair and complete compensation for all of your losses so that you may move on with your life. Call us today at (314) 231-4100 or contact us online to receive your free, no-obligation case evaluation.