Getting in a car accident can be mentally and emotionally traumatic. It can be devastating for your car and even worse, can cause a multitude of personal injuries.
These injuries can be acute, lasting only months, or chronic, causing pain and discomfort for years.
Fortunately, insurance companies exist to cover your damages, both for your vehicle and for your personal injuries. The question is how to get the most money from a car accident.
Keep reading for our expert advice.
How to Get the Most Money From a Car Accident
It’s not uncommon for people to curse paying their car insurance every month when they have a perfect driving record. However, accidents happen all the time and you can’t control other drivers.
Be grateful you have insurance and follow these 7 tips on how to get the most money from a car accident.
1. Keep Your Cool
Most importantly, after a car accident, you need to be thinking clearly. This means staying calm. This will allow you to take in the scene, remember details, and take the correct steps.
Don’t panic and try not to get emotional. Regardless of who’s at fault, don’t get into an argument with the other driver. If they are intent on arguing with you, ignore them and tell them you’ll wait until the police get there.
2. Help Anyone Who’s Injured (If Possible)
It’s not your obligation, but if you feel morally inclined or able, you can assist the other driver and/or passengers involved in the accident. You may not be qualified to provide medical assistance but you can remove them from potential danger.
3. Call the Police
Calling 911 is vital and should be done as soon as possible. They will send an ambulance if necessary as well as the police. If the other driver or anyone else involved in the accident is being aggressive or confrontational, wait until the police get there to avoid any other complications.
4. Get the Other Driver’s Information
Once 911 has been called and if everyone is okay, it’s time to swap information with the other driver. You need to get their name, the make, and model of their car, pictures of the accident, and the driver’s insurance information. This information includes the insurance company name, number, policy number, and expiration date.
5. Take Pictures of the Scene
If you haven’t already, you need to take pictures of the scene of the accident for both the police report and the insurance companies. These photos provide vital evidence of what happens and who’s at fault.
This is especially helpful if you end up needing to call a lawyer.
6. Go to the Your Doctor
Even if you don’t immediately feel injured, you need to get checked out by your doctor. Often, people don’t feel aches and pains from a vehicle accident until days later. Your doctor will be able to give you a full and official exam which will be important for insurance documentation.
This is an incredibly important step in how to get the most money from a car accident.
7. Make Your Insurance Claim as Soon as Possible
Finally, figuring out how to get the most money from a car accident means filing your insurance claim as soon as possible. There’s a time frame in which you can do so. The sooner you file, the better, assuming you have all of the necessary information.
Don’t Hesitate to Call a Lawyer
If you’ve been in an accident and are trying to figure out how to get the most money from a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer.
We will give you a free case consultation and let you know where you stand!