| Even a minor car accident with minimal damage can | | | | scene if possible or as soon as you get home. |
| be quite scary. The paperwork, which will include a | | | | Report the accident to your auto insurance company |
| police report and an auto insurance claim, may seem | | | | immediately. You will need to fill out a variety of |
| overwhelming. Although your first accident may be | | | | forms which will serve as the primary document by |
| intimidating, filing a claim is actually a relatively simple | | | | which your claim will be settled. Be sure to call your |
| step by step process. | | | | insurance agent and ask any questions that you may |
| The success of your auto insurance claim will be | | | | have. The insurance company may also request |
| determined by many factors. What you say and do | | | | copies of the other driver’s insurance information |
| at the scene of the accident, the completeness and | | | | as well as the police report. The next steps will be |
| accuracy of the police report, the accuracy of | | | | determined by your insurance company’s normal |
| information that you receive from the other driver | | | | procedures, the type of insurance you have, and the |
| and the speed with which you make the insurance | | | | insurer’s determination of fault. |
| report can all affect your ultimate claim results. | | | | If the other driver is determined to be at fault then |
| At the Scene | | | | his insurance company may offer you a quick |
| Never admit fault. In most jurisdictions “relative | | | | settlement, especially if you were injured. Take time |
| fault” comes into play for insurance purposes. | | | | to review the settlement offer and if possible, have |
| Even if you clearly did something wrong, the other | | | | an attorney look it over. You will need to make the |
| driver is obligated to try to avoid hitting you. If he did | | | | determination as to whether the offer is fair and |
| not do everything possible to avoid the accident then | | | | reasonable. Your other option is a lawsuit, which can |
| he may be partially at fault. Relative fault is | | | | be costly and time consuming. Only you and your |
| complicated and best left to experts to determine. | | | | attorney can decide which choice is right for you. |
| Simply stick to the facts and be honest but avoid | | | | Although a car accident and the accompanying |
| discussions of fault. | | | | paperwork can be scary and intimidating, the actual |
| Make sure to get the other driver’s full name, | | | | process of filing a claim is a step by step and |
| vehicle information and complete insurance | | | | relatively simple process. Follow the above tips and |
| information, as well as a contact number. Insist on a | | | | do not hesitate to ask questions. You will be |
| police report even if there is only minor damage. | | | | successful in filing your auto insurance claim. |
| Write a statement for your own records at the | | | | |