When you’re in an accident, there are two important things you want: to have any injuries covered, and to get the damages to your car repaired. The process for doing this, you would think, should be simple. Unfortunately, there always seem to be hurdles that get in the way, and fighting to get the coverage you deserve can be daunting. Learn some tips for getting your car repaired after an accident and how a qualified car accident attorney can be your best ally during this time.
After the Accident
The first thing you want to do after an accident, in order to get your car fixed, is document as much about the accident as humanly possible. The more photographs you can take, the more witnesses you can talk with and the more evidence there is, the better off you are. Hopefully you won’t have to challenge anything, but if you do, you’ll be glad you took the time to collect information.
Above all, make sure you get the contact information for the other driver and their insurance information. This will be vital to getting the repairs covered.
Reporting the Incident
Report the accident to your insurance company first. Explain what happened and be totally honest about the events. Give them the other driver’s information. Often, your insurance company will be willing to work with the other insurer on your behalf. Sometimes, they may even fix your car and recover the damages for you.
Knowing Your Rights
The insurer (either yours or the other driver’s) will look over your car and determine an estimate for the cost of repairs. You have the right to have your own mechanic look at the car to verify this with an estimate of their own. If your mechanic is different than the insurer’s, they might be able to negotiate to get your repairs covered.
Important Limits
It’s important to remember that there are limits to how much you can receive. If the responsible driver was only insured for $8,000, that’s the maximum their insurance company will pay even if there’s $10,000 in damages. The rest you’ll have to recover directly from them, charge to your insurance policy (via under- or uninsured motorist coverage or collision), or pay out of pocket.
Likewise, if the insurer declares your car a total loss, you’ll receive the current market value of the vehicle on the day of the accident, based on the Kelley Blue Book, and the insurer will take the wreck.
Hiring a Car Accident Attorney
Anytime you’re in an auto accident, one of the first things you should do is hire a qualified car accident attorney. Attorneys know how to challenge low ball offers from insurance companies, and protect the rights of their clients every step of the way. Never sign anything or try to negotiate with a big company like an insurer without experienced legal help in your corner.
If you have recently been in an auto accident and you need help negotiating for repairs of your car, a car accident lawyer is ready to help. Call Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers for an evaluation of your case today.
