6 Things You Should Do & Know When Filing an Auto Accident Claim

Most drivers will be in about four car accidents over their lifetime, and even if these collisions are relatively minor, a claim will still generally have to be made to motorists’ insurance carriers.

Filing an auto accident claim may seem like a relatively straightforward process. In reality, however, it can be tricky, as how the claim is filed and what claimants do and say when filing these claims may end up affecting:

• Whether they are able to secure compensation for their collision-related injuries and damage
• The amount of compensation ultimately obtained.

Below, we will highlight some of the most important things to understand and do when it’s time to submit auto wreck claims to insurance providers. Knowing these steps to take can help you protect your interests and better position you to obtain the full amount of compensation to which you may be entitled.

When Filing Car Accident Claims…

1. Make sure you understand your policy – Basically, be sure that you understand what you are and are not covered for. If you don’t understand any part of your policy, consider contacting a lawyer for assistance reviewing it.
2. Contact the insurance provider ASAP – In other words, don’t put off reporting the crash to the insurer. The longer you wait to make this report and get your claim started, the worse it can end up being for you later, as insurers may have more room to debate the nature of the accident, your injuries/damages, etc.
3. Keep a log & everything the insurer sends you – Specifically, keep a log noting every time you speak to an insurer on the phone (noting when the conversation occurred and what the topic/conclusions of that conversation were). Also, keep every document, letter and/or email an insurer sends you. This step can be important to preserving your claim if an insurer ends up making mistakes or acting in bad faith with it.
4. Submit any evidence you have to the insurer – This includes any pictures of the accident you have, witness names and contact info, etc. You want to make sure the insurer has everything necessary to issue a decision in your favor.
5. Be honest but careful – Essentially, be sure to report the facts of the accident truthfully, but do NOT ever admit fault in the collision. In fact, be careful about how you answer questions and give official statements, as what you say – even if it is an accidental admission of fault – can be used against you to try to undercut or deny your claim later.
6. Know when to contact a lawyer – If you feel that an insurer is not properly handling your claim, has low-balled your settlement or has wrongly denied your claim, contact an experienced attorney ASAP. Having a lawyer on your side can help you understand your rights and fight back against the insurers who may try to compromise them.

Contact a Littleton Auto Accident Lawyer at Littleton Lawyers™

Since 1983, the Littleton car accident and personal injury attorneys at Littleton Lawyers™ have been fighting on behalf of injured people and aggressively standing up against injustice, inequality and intolerance.

To get more information about your potential case and rights, meet with us for a free, no obligations initial consultation. Set up this meeting today by calling us at (303) 794-7422 or emailing us using the form on this page.

From our law offices in Littleton, we represent clients throughout Colorado, including in the Denver Metro Area, Arapahoe County, Adams County, Jefferson County and the cities of Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Rock, Westminster, Centennial and Aurora.