How to Deal with MA Insurance Companies After a Car Accident
Every accident brings a lot of unwanted issues into your life. For instance, you need to seek medical attention and prioritize your health while overseeing how you’ll make an insurance claim. This is to mean that you should seek medical attention and plan to work with insurance adjusters to process your claim.
Unfortunately, you are at the mercy of an insurance company. You might be shocked by the accident but are forced to deal with insurance adjuster. Additionally, the insurance companies’ adjusters do not represent you and are experienced in handling claims. So you have to be very cautious when you speak to them. Do not sign any documents before consulting an experienced personal injury lawyer. After all, they make a living from processing claims every day. If it’s your first time making a claim, read below how to secure your interest.
Immediate Steps To Take After a Car Accident
If you have been injured by someone else or sustained severe damages, Making your first personal injury claim requires you to take the following steps:
- Document the Damages
- Call police and give your version of accident.
- Photograph scene and vehicle.
- Call insurance
- Consult an attorney
Document the Damages
If you walk away from an accident uninjured and you’re in a position safely document the damage, please do so. It will come in handy during the claims process. Take pictures of the damaged cars (your and any other vehicle involved in the accident) and any other property. Take photos of the injuries suffered by anyone involved in the accident.
Call The Police and Stay at The Scene
After documenting the damage, call the police. You should note that most policies require you to call the police within a specific time after the accident.
Nonetheless, ensure you notify the police. They will help you gather more evidence and can testify if it’s needed during the claims negotiations.
In our experience, police do not take witnesses’ information. You need to take their names, numbers, etc.
Collect/Exchange Information with the Other Driver(s)
Exchange documents with the other driver. Start by documenting the license plates of the car(s) involved in the accident. Thereafter, ask the other driver(s) for their information. Typically, you should seek their names, addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registration, and driver’s license.
You should also obtain the witnesses’ and other passengers’ names, addresses, and phone numbers. Finally, ask everyone you obtain information from to verify that their information is correct.
Seek Medical Attention
If you can walk in on your own or have severe pain, request to be brought to a hospital by ambulance. If you get pain after a couple of days, go to nearest urgent care and speak to primary care physicians about treatment.
Out of an abundance of caution, you should have doctors carry out some checks on you, even when you feel perfectly fine. The shock of experiencing an accident might musk some injuries, such as concussions and whiplash injuries.
Get an Attorney
This is perhaps the most important step, especially if it’s your first accident. Making insurance claims is never straightforward. Insurance companies will always try to minimize the settlement as much as possible.
Hiring an accident lawyer ensures you receive excellent legal representation. An accident attorney will ensure they make a case for your claims and convince the adjuster assigned to your place value where necessary. Going through the process without a lawyer leaves you prone to saying the wrong thing or accepting a lower settlement than you deserved.
If you lose time from work, you will need a disability note and whether you’re entitled to sick time.
Personal Injury lawyers do not require money upfront. They are entitled ⅓ of settlement . Most physical injury lawyers can arrange transportation and medical attention if appropriate.
