Car accidents can be stressful and often leave you facing not only physical injuries but also some serious bills and expenses. When you’ve been in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you can expect to be compensated for the damages you’ve incurred. You’ll be paid for the damage to your car and any injuries you’ve sustained.
However, very often an insurance company will give you a low offer to settle. Don’t accept the first offer and instead try to increase your settlement. It’s a good possibility that after dealing with all the insurance runaround you’ll get a much bigger award than if you had accepted the first offer. In this article, we will give you several tips to get more money after an accident.
1 – Take immediate action
When you are involved in a car accident, the actions you take immediately afterward are critical. The moments after the accident can be confusing and chaotic, but if you are able to take pictures and get as much information as possible, you’ll help your claim for damages.
This means taking photos of the vehicles, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. Try to do this before the cars are moved out of the street so it is clear how the accident happened and who is at fault.
You should also seek out some witnesses who saw the accident as it happened. Get their statements and contact information. Their testimony carries a lot of weight in a courtroom. This can give you a much bigger settlement than if it’s just your word against the other driver’s.
2 – Know your rights
As a car accident victim, you are protected under certain rights. First and foremost you have the right to make a claim for compensation. You are entitled to have a claim to get a money award for damage to your car or property. You’re also entitled to seek damages for injuries, medical expenses, and even lost wages as a result of the accident.
Knowing that you have these rights will help you pursue a fair settlement that helps you get your life back to normal as much as possible. Keep these rights in mind when dealing with insurance companies.
3 – Negotiating with insurance companies
One of the most challenging parts of the process when trying to increase your settlement is having to negotiate with insurance companies. They have professionals who do this every day and are quite good at it. It can be intimidating when you try to negotiate without much experience.
When speaking with insurance adjusters, always stick to the facts of the accident and the impact it has had on your life. Be polite yet assertive, and don’t be pressured into accepting a settlement that doesn’t fully cover your damages.
You’re going to be given an offer right away in the hopes that you accept rather than go through a lengthy process. This offer will be far too low for you to consider. Make a counter offer that is reasonable and will cover your expenses and lost wages.
