Wichita Falls and Dallas car accidents can be quite intimidating and overwhelming but understanding how car insurance works can alleviate the stress and make the entire process more manageable. It’s important to know what steps to take, what coverage you have, and how the claims process works to ensure you receive the right compensation. Here’s how it works:
1. Report the Accident
The first thing to do is ensure you are safe and get the medical treatment you need. It’s also important to document the accident scene, if possible, get the police to investigate, and collect all the information of the other driver and witnesses. Once those initial steps are complete, the next thing to do is to report the accident to your insurance company.
When reporting the accident, you will need to provide the insurance company with some information. It’s important to provide accurate information but always be cautious of what you say as anything you say could be used against you to minimize or deny your claim. We recommend obtaining a copy of the police report and working off of that. Be cautious to not offer up more information than is necessary. You will have to provide them with the date, time, and location of the incident, an explanation about what happened, and information on any other parties involved.
2. Determining Fault
Fault is a big determining factor in the compensation you will receive, so it’s a big step in the car insurance and claims process. Insurance adjusters will review all the information regarding the accident and make a determination regarding who was at fault. Generally, the person who caused the accident is responsible for covering your damages. However, sometimes, they don’t have enough coverage (or any at all), so it’s important to consider getting personal injury protection or uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy to protect you in case you run into a situation like that.
3. Coverage Types and Limits
The extent of your compensation depends not only on the amount of your damages but also on how much and what type of insurance the at-fault driver has as well as your own policies. It’s important to be aware of these types of coverages (among others), what they cover, and the limits on them when evaluating your claim and attempting to settle it.
- Liability Coverage: Covers the other party’s medical expenses and property damage.
- Collision Coverage: Covers damage to your vehicle no matter who was at fault.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Covers your medical expenses and damages to your vehicle if the other driver doesn’t have enough or any insurance.
4. Claims Process
Once it is determined who was at fault and what coverages are in place, evaluation of damages and settlement negotiations begin. Typically, an insurance adjuster will assess the damage to both you and your vehicle. This can be done in a variety of ways and they may require you to get a repair estimate for your vehicle. From there, settlement negotiations will begin.
Contact a Wichita Falls and Dallas Car Accident Lawyer
If you or anyone you know has been in a car accident in Wichita Falls or Dallas, contact our car accident lawyer either by calling one of the numbers listed below or filling out our contact form. For Wichita Falls car accidents, contact us at 940-569-4000. For Dallas car accidents, contact us 945-295-0014. We will give you a free evaluation of your case and offer you helpful information on how to proceed.