| A car accident can be a scary time in anyone's life. | | | | even minor accidents. |
| Even if the damage is minimal there is a police report | | | | After the Accident |
| to file, the other driver to deal with and an auto | | | | Contact your car insurance company immediately. |
| insurance claim to file. If it is your first accident you | | | | The insurance company will probably send you forms |
| may find yourself overwhelmed and unsure what to | | | | to fill out and will likely request the police report and |
| do first. Fortunately filing a claim is a step by step | | | | the other driver's insurance information. If you have |
| process that is relatively simple to learn and | | | | any questions at all on how to fill out the forms do |
| understand. | | | | not hesitate to call your insurance company. The |
| You must keep many things in mind in order to file a | | | | forms are the primary documents used to settle |
| successful claim. Everything you say and do from the | | | | your auto insurance claim so be sure that they are |
| moment of the accident may have an impact on | | | | accurately and completely filled out. What happens |
| your claim. You must be certain that the police report | | | | next depends on the type of insurance you have, |
| is complete and accurate and that you have accurate | | | | your insurer's policies and procedures and their |
| information from the other driver. You should also be | | | | determination of fault. |
| sure to file your insurance claim in a timely manner. | | | | If the other driver was at fault then you will normally |
| Determining "relative fault" in an accident is a | | | | receive a quick settlement offer from his insurance |
| complicated process that can only be handled by | | | | company. Read the offer carefully and have it |
| experts. "Relative fault" is the percentage of fault for | | | | reviewed by an attorney if possible. You will likely |
| an accident that lies with each driver. In most | | | | lose your right to sue if you take the settlement |
| jurisdictions even the driver who is in the right has a | | | | offer but a reasonable settlement will put money in |
| responsibility to try to avoid an accident. Since | | | | your hands long before a lawsuit will. Only you and |
| relative fault will not be determined at the scene of | | | | your attorney can decide whether to accept the |
| the accident, it is important to stick to the facts and | | | | settlement. |
| avoid a discussion of fault. | | | | A car accident is scary for anyone. The paperwork |
| You should write your own statement of what | | | | that follows can be even scarier. However, filing a |
| happened for your records at the scene if possible or | | | | claim is a step by step process that anyone can learn. |
| as soon as you get home. You also need to get the | | | | Simply follow the above tips and be sure to ask a lot |
| other driver's full name, insurance information and | | | | of questions. You can be successful in filing your auto |
| vehicle details. Also try to get a police report for | | | | insurance claim. |