Car Accident Lawyer Indianapolis, How To Get Your Rightful Claim Paid
By Bridget Peoples
Accidents are traumatizing and have the potential of changing your life forever. According to experienced Car Accident Lawyer Indianapolis who has dealt with numerous cases, the process of seeking compensation can be frustrating. What you assumed to be obvious and plain in the eyes of the world will give you a hell of trouble. Here are tips to ensure that you get the commensurate compensation.
Stay at the scene until the problem is resolved. In most jurisdictions, nothing should be tampered with until a consensus on culpability has been established and registered. In case you leave, you will be accused on hit-and-run. The penalties for such an accusation could be mind-boggling. Further, you might be accuses of offenses that you did not commit in your absence. This will shift the burden on compensation.
Negotiations involving failure to inform or involve authorities should be declined. Law enforcement officers must be informed as soon as the incident happens. They are charged with official documentation, information that will be crucial in settling claims. Parties agree not to involve law enforcement especially in minor accidents. Without official report from the police, insurance companies fail to pay.
Injuries should never be ignored. People are overly concerned about scratches on their vehicles yet ignore the effect of being jolted or impact with part of your vehicle. It might not be painful at the moment because it is numb. However, the problem might escalate in future. You will be ignored by the insurance company if you make a claim in future about an accident file that was closed without mention of injury.
Do not rush into apologizing or admitting guilt. This appears as the courteous thing to do. It is an admittance of guilt that will turn against you when filing a claim. Even the court will find it difficult to reverse such admittance. While you might think you are culpable, the attorney could argue to shift the blame to the road or other motorists. When you admit guilt, you could even be forced to pay the compensation.
Delay calling your insurance company. People call the insurance company as a natural response but the haste could compromise your compensation. The anxiety involved in such a situation is likely to cause you to make mistakes that you will regret in future. Wait until all reports are written and medical checks concluded. You can then proceed to make a comprehensive report.
Limit damage as much as possible. This should not be done with the aim of erasing the evidence. However, you will be compensated based on loses that were preventable. If the vehicle is exposed to fire, you should make it impossible to catch fire. Do not pick parts from the vehicle, how ever valuable they are. This amounts to tampering. Valuation will be a problem in such a case.
Every step taken relating to the accident must be documented. The court or insurance company uses these documents to determine the amount of compensation. No document should be signed without notifying your lawyer and insurance company. This is a sure way to lose your compensation.
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