It’s important to hire a personal injury attorney and speak to your insurance company after being in a car accident. When you hire an experienced law firm, like John Foy & Associates, the insurance company will know who they are and how your case is handled will be a huge difference.
While you should contact your insurance company as well as your lawyer, your first call, after seeking medical attention, collecting the other driver’s information, and taking photo evidence should be to your lawyer. This way they can prepare you for any future conversations you will have with insurance companies and you avoid missing out on benefits.
You Don’t Have Too Much Time to File a Claim With Your Lawyer
Contact an attorney immediately after your accident because that’s when the clock starts to run on your claim. According to Georgia’s statute of limitations, you have two years from the day you were injured to file your personal injury claim with the state civil courts.
It may seem like you have a lot of time, but time flies, and you could be missing out on your chance to file for compensation. Valuable evidence can disappear quickly, so you want an attorney to scope out the scene for you before you lose that evidence forever.
Contacting Your Insurance Company After a Crash
When you contact your insurance company, know you may be eligible for benefits from your insurance company, even if you believe the other driver is at fault for the accident.
The other driver’s insurance company may not agree that their client is at fault for the accident and you’ll need an insurance company to provide authority for repairs to your vehicle. If the other driver’s insurance is disputing fault, they likely won’t be willing to pay for your repairs. Your own insurance company can step in, pay for the repairs, and set you up with a rental vehicle.
What Information Should You Provide to Your Insurance Company After a Car Accident?
What you say to your insurance company after a crash could affect their willingness to offer aid. When you contact your insurance agent, you will need to provide the following information:
- The driver’s name, address, and telephone number
- The insurance policy information for any other drivers involved in the accident
- What law enforcement agent responded to the accident
- When and where the accident took place
This information will also be valuable for your car accident lawyer who will need to reach out to the other driver’s insurance company, other witnesses, and the police for the accident report.
Communicating With the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company
You should never talk to an insurance adjuster, without talking to your car accident attorney first. Insurance companies don’t typically look out for a client’s best interests, even if you were severely injured in the crash, because they will try to avoid paying out on a claim.
Insurance companies are known for manipulating you into somehow admitting the accident was your fault. Even saying a simple “I’m sorry,” can be all they need to prove you were at fault. It’s best to let your lawyer do all the talking when it comes to dealing with other parties’ insurance companies.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-400-4000
Talk to a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we know how overwhelming the moments after the accident can be and you shouldn’t do it alone. You might wonder where to turn first, but we can help. With more than 20 years of experience representing injury victims, we know how to build a strong claim and protect you from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
To schedule your free consultation today, call us or contact us here.
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