How Does Having Insurance Affect The Outcome After A Car Accident
While thinking about being in a car accident is about as much fun as having a root canal done at your dentist’s office, both are a part of life. If you are ever involved in a car accident, you need to hire a good personal injury lawyer who will represent you in court. You also need to read this article to learn why both you and the other driver need to have good insurance.
About car insurance
If you live in any of the 50 states in the United States of America, you need to have car insurance. The law requires it. The minimum amount of insurance you need to carry depends on the state you live in. Your personal injury lawyer will inform you of this. Keep in mind that the type of insurance you have and its policy limits will play a large role in determining how much of a settlement you will receive for property damage and/or medical bills if you were involved in a serious car accident and were not at-fault.
About the at-fault driver
Your personal injury lawyer will tell you to call 911 at the accident scene. The police will arrive and the officer will create a formal police report which can be used by your legal team as evidence against the defense. You’ll also need to obtain the names, addresses, phone numbers, and necessary insurance information of the at-fault driver. You also need to obtain the policy holder’s name and policy number.
Inform your own insurance company about the accident immediately. The at-fault driver’s insurance company must pay for the cost of repairing your property that was damaged in the accident. It must also reimburse you for rental car expenses, bodily injuries, and any related expenses or bills. You’ll hear from the at-fault driver’s insurance company immediately after the accident and you’ll be working with an assigned insurance adjuster. Because the adjuster is trying to avoid going to court as much as possible, he or she may ask you to submit a recorded statement. Never do so!
You are not legally obliged to give any recorded statements to the defense’s insurance company. In fact, doing so may give the defense’s legal team (and insurance company) the evidence they need to lower your settlement amount or not pay it at all. Never authorize the insurance adjuster to access your medical records. Inform him or her that you’ll provide all requested and necessary information once your treatment is finished.
How your own insurance will affect your case
Your personal injury lawyer in Lincoln will tell you the following: you’ll need to contact your own insurance company for reimbursements if the at-fault driver has no coverage or limited coverage. You should always purchase uninsured/under insured motorist coverage for this reason. If your own insurance company fails to cooperate with you, you can sue it for breach of contract and for acting in bad faith.
Insurance can work in your favor. You can indeed work with your legal team to receive the settlement you deserve provided you know the information about insurance that was discussed above.
