You do your best to avoid it, but a car accident can happen at any time. It can happen while you’re sitting in traffic, driving on the highway or navigating a parking lot at a low rate of speed.
If you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, pull to safety and assess yourself for injuries. This will help you determine what to do next. Should you need help, call 911 so that police and an ambulance arrive at the scene as quickly as possible.
Once you receive treatment, you’re able to turn your attention to your legal rights. Along with that, you need to call your insurance company.
The primary purpose of this call is to inform them as to what went wrong, which allows you to start the claims process. Remember, if you don’t call your agent they can’t file a claim on your behalf. And if they can’t do that, you won’t receive the benefits of the policy you’ve been paying for.
Here are some things to keep in mind when discussing your situation with your agent:
- Stick to the facts: Share the basics of the accident with your agent, but don’t get too far ahead of yourself. Don’t make assumptions.
- Don’t let them force you into talking: For example, you are under no obligation to provide a written or recorded statement.
- They may want to record the call: Once again, you don’t have to agree to this. Let your agent know that you’re not comfortable with this until you review your policy and consult with an attorney. Even if you think you’ll be okay, you never know when you’ll say something that could cause you trouble down the road.
Regardless of the circumstances of your accident, you should contact your insurance company to file a claim. Doing so puts the wheels in motion, and that’s what you want during this difficult time in your life.
As you file a claim and learn more about the accident, look into all the ways that you can obtain compensation from the at-fault party. This will help you financially as you recover and look to get your life back on track.