| If you have never been a motor vehicle accident | | | | addresses, and phone numbers of doctors, hospitals |
| that resulted in having to file a suit against the | | | | and clinics. Record the date and reason for each |
| at-fault driver, then you still have time to learn: | | | | office visit. Make an entry every day in the journal |
| Don’t screw up your auto accident settlement. | | | | describing any sort of physical, mental or emotional |
| That may seem harsh, but sometimes you can | | | | problem you experience which may have been |
| innocently mess up your chances of receiving what | | | | caused by the accident. |
| you should in the settlement. | | | | |
| I asked a group of folks for what they had learned | | | | 8. If the other driver's insurance company contacts |
| when they went through the auto accident | | | | you, do not respond. Send their correspondence to |
| settlement process. The advice covered what to | | | | your insurance company or attorney, and let them |
| do at the accident scene, what and how to | | | | respond on your behalf. |
| document everything, how to deal with the other | | | | 9. Don't settle for just whatever the insurance |
| guy’s insurance company, and when it may be | | | | company tells you they will pay for the damages to |
| time to hire an attorney. | | | | your vehicle or property. |
| Here are the top 10 bits of hard-earned wisdom: | | | | |
| 1. While at the accident scene: call for medical | | | | 10. If there is a significant amount of money involved, |
| assistance immediately if anyone is injured. Remain at | | | | consider hiring a lawyer. |
| the scene of the accident. | | | | Here’s what a couple of folks learned, in their |
| | | | | own words: |
| 2. Get information concerning the time, place, date, | | | | “I was in an auto accident 3 years ago and I got |
| location, as well as the other driver’s auto license | | | | a settlement. It was not as much as I should have |
| number and driver's license name and number. Write | | | | received, but I got all I could. The one thing I learned |
| everything down!!! Get names and phone numbers of | | | | is that since my major medical insurance paid my |
| witnesses and passengers. | | | | medical bills, they had a lien on my settlement. If I |
| 3. Take pictures at the scene of the accident…of | | | | had not taken the person to court that was at fault, |
| everything; your vehicle, the other vehicle involved, | | | | my major medical insurance company would have |
| the area the accident happened in, and any personal | | | | gotten the settlement instead of me. Consult with a |
| property that may have been damaged in your | | | | car accident attorney as soon after an accident as |
| vehicle. If the police are there, point out what is | | | | possible so that you know your rights.” |
| damaged to them or to the witnesses. | | | | “One thing I have learned from being in an auto |
| 4. Contact your insurance company and be sure to | | | | accident is that one must remain firm with the other |
| get the claim number assigned to the case. If the | | | | driver's insurance company. They will try to play |
| police are called, get a copy of the report and DO | | | | games and push time limits etc. Stay on them. Keep |
| NOT sign or admit any guilt. | | | | track of the times you called and who you spoke to. |
| 5. DO NOT ADMIT CAUSE. Don't admit to doing | | | | Then if you have to file a complaint with the |
| anything. Even if you think it was your fault, don't | | | | Department of Insurance (which we did) or seek the |
| say it to anyone at the scene of the accident. | | | | assistance of an attorney, then you have proof of |
| 6. Document everything. If you miss work or school, | | | | your attempts to communicate and their unwillingness |
| document the days you missed, the reasons why | | | | to help.” |
| you missed, and what that day was worth to you | | | | If you will follow the advice of those who have |
| financially. Have it signed by someone in authority at | | | | “been there done that” then there’s a |
| work or school. | | | | good chance you won’t screw up your auto |
| 7. Be sure, if you are injured, to seek medical | | | | accident settlement. |
| attention. Keep a journal and record the names, | | | | |