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One of the first things you should do after making sure that everyone in the accident has been checked medically is to contact your insurance provider. Unfortunately, far too many individuals make light of this process and do not realize that making small mistakes could cost them later. What follows are some of the most common dos and don’ts about filing an insurance claim after a San Diego car accident.
The Dos
Make sure to document everything. You should never rely on the police or anyone else to put together and file a report. Before you leave the scene of the accident, make sure you have the contact details of the other driver involved as well as his or her insurance information and driver’s license number.
Taking a picture of their license plate is also recommended. Although the driver may be cooperative at the scene of the accident and lead you to believe that he or she will take care of everything, this is not something you should rely on completely. Make sure you have your own file of documentation and evidence that you can rely on later if you need to. You should also make sure to consult an experienced injury attorney right away.
A knowledgeable personal injury attorney in San Diego can give you more information about your rights as well as recommended next steps. Finding the right lawyer to work with involves careful consideration of your individual case.
The Don’ts
At the scene of the accident, you should never take blame for the accident or apologize to the other driver. The other driver or his or her insurance company may interpret this as an admission of guilt. Likewise, you should never sign anything or accept any settlement agreements without first consulting with your own San Diego personal injury attorney. You may be under the impression that your insurance company is there to help you.
Unfortunately, however, insurance adjustors work for the insurance company and are often trying to maximize their profits even if this is at your expense. Insurance adjusters may try to glean information from you that would count as an admission of guilt or force you to sign something or accept a settlement agreement that is far less than what your case is worth. During this time, the only advocate you have for you is yourself and your San Diego personal injury attorney.
Your personal injury attorney can help you determine whether a settlement offer is fair and advise you about whether any written notices you have received are something that you should consider signing. Finding the right lawyer is imperative for the success of your claim.
SENIOR PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY & FIRM FOUNDER
Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who graduated from the University of California Hastings College of the Law in 1987. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes how insurance companies work and how they decide how much to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael’s inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents. Learn more about Michael Pines