Car accident can happen anytime and anywhere, often leaving victims little time to react and in shock. Road accidents are by no means good and can potentially ruin your day. But when a car accident happens, emotions are high, and judgment can become gloomy depending on multiple factors and the severity of the accident. But knowing what to say and do after any road eventuality is important. Taking the right steps can significantly improve your stance in case you’re claiming property damage or personal injury insurance down the line. In these cases, you will have to call the Emergency towing services company.
We’ll try to debunk and clarify all the myths below, exposing the truth behind them and educating you if you’re a believer in these misconceptions. We’ll guide you on how to maneuver through any such situation smoothly.
It’s okay to leave the scene as the accident was minor
The love pat you accidentally gave the other car on the road was minor, right? We can understand dealing with the accident filing process at a time when you’re going through a mental shock is not an easy thing. Especially when it can potentially affect your driving record and even lead to higher premiums.
Leaving or running off an accident scene is a crime in itself and can lead to serious charges and other penalties. If you leave the scene rudely, this can incur costs to you in the shape of vehicle repairs and physical injury treatment if any of the motorists or passengers are hurt.
You may also Read: What to Expect From a Reliable Towing Company?
It’s always the fault of the rear driver in rear-end collisions
It might seem obvious that if your vehicle is hit in a rear-end collision, it must be the fault of the person behind you who’s at fault. But this concept is mostly wrong, and certain factors might even lead to the conclusion that it was the wrongdoing of the vehicle in front. Different factors like any third vehicle’s actions, defective breaks, or the front cars having issues with their breaks can all be the problems leading to a rear-end crash.
The police report is always accurate in identifying who’s at fault
This should be the first thing you do after getting into an accident – calling the police and file a crash report for the accident. Most probably, the police will show up and document your vehicle accident. The police officers should write a report about the whole incident and may include statements from the parties involved. However, there is no guarantee that the report will prove who’s at fault.
In most cases, a police report is a factual document and avoids speculation. And serves as evidence for the insurance companies, but it doesn’t mean that the other person’s insurance will not fight back. In any such case, both parties are asked to produce accessory evidence such as eyewitnesses, damage, and skid marks, and then compare both parties’ stories.
Also Read: Things to do after an accident, Check for injuries and call a towing company.
Laws of car accidents are the same in all states
Every state has specific laws and rules regarding car accident. Some follow strict guidelines, while others have timelines to pursue the case and determine the claim amounts based on how much fault each driver had in the accident. It doesn’t matter what license plate you have on your car. Meaning if you get into an accident in a state having more stringent rules and regulations, such as the “at-fault” system in Tennessee, you are liable to pay for all the costs of injuries and damages. You can find your state’s laws about road offenses and accidents in the local state government directory.
You are bound to give a statement to the insurance company
There’s no obligation on you to give a statement to the insurance company. Insurance companies are always prying on the clients to get something out of the clients that can be used against them and reduce or even deny your claim. The insurance agents are more than happy to twist your statement into arguments to be used against you.
Often insurance companies make a simple vehicle accident into complex and ambiguous facts. They add more confusion to the story to muddle whether their insured is responsible for your injury. The insurance agents are trained to get information out of you and make you feel guilty about asserting your rights against their insured.
My insurance rate will go up if I file a claim
Not exactly; your insurance premium will not go up just for you filing a claim. Regardless of the common belief, insurance companies are not always after you. However, if you’re at fault for the accident and you file a claim, then your premium will go up for sure. However, for the premium to go up, you don’t need to file a claim; it will go up anyway if you’re liable for the collision.
You have to accept the settlement offer
When you file a claim, the person’s insurance company at fault will probably offer you a settlement. There have been instances where the victims with serious injuries have gotten no compensation at all. The insurance companies are becoming more aggressive and challenging to fight.
However, when you get a settlement offer, how enticing the amount might be, do not accept the settlement without speaking with your lawyer. More often, the settlement amount offered is less than the desired amount. Accepting the first settlement request leaves no room for negotiations.
Hiring an attorney is too expensive and not worth the headache
Accidents can often involve more than you could imagine, and when they turn their ugly head out, more attention is required to settle expenses, injuries, and insurance matters. Allstate Insurance company confirms that “the insurer paid on average three times more to people who were represented.”
Many of us believe that claiming process after a car accident will be fair and judicious, so we won’t need a lawyer. However, in cases where a party has to pay medical bills, damage repairs, and extended time off work, it’s better to hire an attorney to digest all the details and develop a plan to reduce risk.
Bear in mind; a car accident is never planned for. Therefore, never let your emotions and circumstances sway you into believing you’re guilty. Ensure you take the necessary precautions to safeguard yourself and the people around you, call local authorities and professional counsel to handle the situation. Lastly, drive smart to stay safe and stay calm. Call the best and reliable towing company in town to get you to safety as quickly as possible. Flag Towing has been providing professional towing services throughout the greater Texas region.