The Must-Take Steps If You Get In A Crash While On Vacation
You may be sitting on the couch right now, relaxing with a nice mug of hot cocoa. But if you’re reading this article, chances are it happened because you were in an accident while away from home on vacation or business travel. If this is the case, or someone you know has been injured in this way, don’t worry.
The good news is that going forward, there are some things you can do to make the process much easier. One of the biggest things to consider is how to make sure your claim is handled properly. We will explore this and more below. Let’s get into it.
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Hire a personal injury lawyer
The first thing to do is hire a personal injury lawyer that specializes in your specific type of claim. It is important to see how a personal injury lawyer can help you. A good place to start is with your insurance company, but this doesn’t always mean you have to use their recommendations.
They are in business to make money and often times push the policyholders they insure toward lawyers who will accept less than full compensation for injuries or property damage.
This means that you could possibly get stuck paying your deductible if one applies, or get less money overall for your injuries. By hiring a personal injury lawyer, you can be assured that you’ll get a better claim and a much higher payout in the long run.
Keep track of everything
You should always try to take pictures before an accident happens and afterward as well. Once you have been in an accident, you should also ask for contact information from everyone involved and keep your insurance card handy for reference purposes. At the time of the accident, it is also vital that you collect the other important details.
It is important that you keep track of everything that happens during the accident. This includes getting the contact information from witnesses, taking pictures of all vehicles involved, and anything else you might come across. Also, be sure to note the time and location of the incident, as well as any injuries that may have occurred.
Follow up with the other driver’s insurance company
After an accident, call or visit the other drivers’ insurance companies as soon as possible to handle the claim. If they try to tell you that it is too soon after the accident to file a claim or that you need to wait six months or more, don’t listen.
While it is true that your injuries may not show up immediately and legal action can take some time, there is no statute of limitations on filing an accident claim if those injuries do pop up later on down the line.
Consult with your insurer
Once you have contacted the other driver’s insurance company, they will most likely give you a claim number. This is very important to have as it will make filing your own claim much simpler.
Next, you should call your insurance company and speak to them about the accident as well as what is being covered by their policy. If you have collision coverage, it makes sense to file a claim with your insurance company, as this will help for any claims that will be covered under this type of insurance coverage.
See a doctor right away if needed
If you get in an accident, chances are you could be injured and need medical attention. You should see a doctor as soon as possible if this is the case, and be sure to detail all of your injuries to them, no matter how minor they may seem. Keep track of all medical expenses related to the accident, as this will make claiming them as part of the settlement much easier.
Remember, you can file a claim up to three years after an accident
When you get into an accident, there is always the concern of insurance premiums rising. This deters a lot of people from claiming for damages and just settling it in court, or privately.
While this is understandable, it’s important to know that accident claims are not limited by any statute of limitations. This means that you can file a claim up to three years after the accident took place, or even more in some states. That way, if injuries do pop up later on down the line, you can still claim them.
If you get in a crash while on vacation: you should always contact an attorney before signing anything
It is important that you contact your lawyer before signing anything, and this holds true for accident claims even if the other driver’s insurance company is giving you a hard time. It is important that you always seek legal advice regarding any accident claim you are trying to file.
Always keep your cool and never admit fault
When dealing with an accident claim, it is important that you always keep your cool. If the other driver’s insurance company comes at you hard, never admit fault. This is the biggest mistake people make during accident claims, and it will only hurt your case in the long run. All you need to do is allow your attorney to handle the situation, and you will be just fine.
Know exactly what to expect if you have a lawsuit filed against you
If you do end up having a lawsuit filed against you, it is important that you know exactly what to expect. The last thing you want is to be blindsided by a lawsuit.
Most lawsuits claim for damages or injuries that occurred as part of the accident, so if you do end up in court, you will need to be able to prove that your injuries were not caused by the accident. If you don’t remember what happened, consult your police report or speak with your attorney to help you determine what took place.
If you are involved in a car accident while on vacation, there are certain steps you should take to ensure that your claim is handled properly. First of all, try to take pictures before and after the incident happens. Also, ask for contact information from other drivers involved in the crash, and keep your insurance card handy. Be sure to go through the steps with your agent once you return home.
