All posts tagged auto accident

Recent Car Accident? Six Secrets Your Auto Insurer Might Not Be Letting You In On

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/06/03 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

You pay for insurance for peace of mind and protection when you are put in a situation where you need to file a claim. While many insurance companies are dedicated to fair and timely claims processing, some adjusters are taught specific tactics that are designed to reduce the amount of the settlement. Car insurance adjusters are paid to keep an eye on claims settlements and to reduce the company’s obligation as much as possible. While adjusters can be helpful and friendly, they are known to keep secrets from claimants so that they can close a claim as quickly as possible. Here are 6 secrets that you should know about if you’ve recently been in an accident:

Your Statements At the Scene Can Be Used Against You

Immediately following an accident, it is almost second nature to apologize or explain your case. Make sure that you do not make statements to witnesses or the police that can be used by the other party’s adjuster to justify fault. It is best to check to see if everyone is okay, and then shut your mouth and leave the investigation to the professionals. What you say can and will be used against you.

Speak Up About Your Injuries

Many people fear reporting an injury because they are worried that their claim will be investigated for fraud. It is important to be honest with your adjuster and with yourself. If you are experiencing pain days following the accident, tell your adjuster about your injuries and see a medical professional. In addition to the physical costs, you also need to consider the actual costs. You may need medical attention, but your injuries could also lead to lost wages, the need for child care and for help around the house. These are all things that may be covered by your insurance.

You Will Be Rushed to Settle

The faster a company can get you to settle following your accident, the less they typically have to pay. Do not be rushed to accept the offers you are extended to fix your car and pay for your injuries. Injuries can arise over time, and you do not want to sign away your rights because you accidentally signed the release forms you did not review.

You Do Not Have to Use a Preferred Auto Repair Place

All too often, claims adjusters recommend a shop to vehicle owners that is considered "preferred". The reason for this is to keep the cost of the claim down, but can you trust this shop? You want your vehicle to be repaired properly, not temporarily. Be sure to choose a mechanic that you can trust and don’t be pressured to use a "preferred" shop.

A Total Loss Is Not Always a Total Loss

Insurers will pay to total your vehicle or repair it, but you can request to have a third party estimation done if you do not agree with the decision. If your car is deemed a total loss, be sure to have an appraiser representing you draft a report so that you are not cheated.

You have the Right to Mediate

Many insurance adjusters present an offer and have a "take it or leave it" attitude. This makes you leery of challenging them, and keeps costs down. If you do not agree with the offer, you can dispute it and go through the process of mediation. Because insurance companies want to avoid lawsuits and jury verdicts, they are likely to sweeten the deal.

If all consumers knew claims secrets then the industry would not be a multi-billion dollar one. Be a wise consumer and do not jump at the first offer. Exercise your rights and know your duties so that you can get the compensation that you deserve.

In a Car Accident? 5 Ways to Make it Look Like Your Car Crash Never Happened

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/06/02 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

It would be great if car accidents never happened. However, chances are if you drive frequently you will at least encounter a small fender bender in your lifetime. Whether you have a small scratch or a large amount of damage to your car after an accident there are a few things you can do to make your car look like new. A few ideas for "erasing" the accident are below.

Get Repairs Done Immediately

When you think about repairing your car after an accident and making it look brand new again you might think the most important thing to do is paint the car, or remove any dings and scratches. However, time itself is the most important factor when it comes to making your car look like the crash never happened. Many people wait to get their car serviced after an accident, particularly if the damage isn’t too bad. But the sooner you get your car serviced and repaired, the easier it will be for your mechanic or body shop expert to get your vehicle looking outstanding again.

Wash Your Car

It might seem overly simplified, but washing your car can actually do a lot to improve the look of your car after an accident. During an accident there are a lot of things that happen that can make your car look dirtier or more damaged than it truly is. Taking the time to wash (and maybe even wax) your car after an accident can help you determine what was just dirt and easily removed paint scratches and what is truly in need of repair.

A New Color

If your car’s paint was scratched up in the accident getting it touched up might seem like an obvious course of action. But if there are significant areas of paint you’ll need to get touched up you might want to choose a whole new color for your car. The reason for this is because it is very hard to match old and new paint, even if it’s the exact same color. The combination can make it the newly painted areas stand out and make the repairs very obvious. However, getting your entire car painted gives your vehicle a consistent, brand new look that can go a long way to erasing the "wrecked and repaired" look of the car.

It’s All in the Details

After an accident most people know to get the paint redone and any major damage restored or fixed. However, paying attention to details like hubcaps, tires, grills, and other areas of your car can also help your vehicle look brand new after an accident. For instance, if you have brand new paint and a scuffed up grill it’s still obvious you were in an accident. Mismatched or missing hubcaps, scratched or non-working tail or headlights, and other details are also giveaways of an accident. Focusing on these details can help you make your car look brand new and nearly erase the signs of a crash.

Masking Damage with Accessories

Sometimes no matter how hard you try there are small areas of damage that can’t be restored to "like new" condition. If you have a small dent in your bumper or an area of your rear view mirror that is scuffed and can’t be repaired, use accessories to mask the damage. A well-placed bumper sticker or a lei around the rear view mirror can quickly and inexpensively mask minor damage, making it look like the accident never happened.

Following these tips can help you make your car look brand new again after a crash. Remember to always get your repairs done as soon as possible, and beware of using used parts. Not only do used parts often not match the parts you currently have, but they may have internal flaws that will cause you to spend more money later. Using a little creativity you can find ways to restore your car and cruise the roads with pride again in no time.

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.

Lizzie found the information for this article from Collision One. They are the number one service based on independent customer service.

Get in A Car Accident? 5 Phone Calls You Should Make Immediately After it Happens

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/05/15 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

A car crash can leave some drivers and passengers in shock. However, it’s important to make the following five phone calls immediately after getting into a car accident.

Auto Insurance Agent

After getting into an accident, a driver should call his or her auto insurance agent. The agent will immediately start up all of the paperwork that needs to be filed for an official claim. An agent will instruct the driver on what to do regarding towing, storing and repairing the vehicle.

Police Help

The police should be called immediately after an accident. An officer can arrive in a matter of minutes to assess the car accident site. An official police report is created at the accident site. This report includes information about the causes of the accident and the driver that is at fault. A diagram can also be drawn in order to officially determine what happened during the car crash.

Legal Assistance

A personal injury attorney has said that people can save themselves some serious headaches as well as money, if they call a lawyer. They can be very helpful in taking care of some legal issues involving a car accident. An attorney can file a claim against insurance companies that are not willing to pay any extra money for medical expenses and other compensation to an injured driver or passenger. An attorney also has the right to file civil lawsuits against a driver at fault in an accident. Such a driver can face serious charges especially if he or she was impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Towing & Auto Collision Company

After a car accident, it’s a good idea to call a familiar local towing company. Such a company may offer a fair rate to tow away and store a damaged car. Otherwise, the police will call in towing services that may charge expensive rates. Additionally, a driver can request that his or her damaged car be towed to a specific auto body shop or service center that charges a fair rate. Otherwise, some collisions centers unknown to the driver may charge expensive rates for storage and labor.

Contacting Owner of Car

The owner of a vehicle should be immediately contacted after an accident. After all, some people drive cars that belong to their parents, relatives or friends. By law, the title holder of a vehicle is responsible for some of the events that follow a car accident.

Police, lawyers, insurance agent, car owner and towing company should all be called right after a car accident. Accident victims should also think about getting immediate medical treatment.

Chaleigh is a freelance writer that lives in NYC. She enjoys writing and lifestyle photography. She writes about anything from Reno Personal Injury Lawyer related content, to paving your driveway or how to properly fix your slice in golf. In her spare time she likes to take pictures, snowboard, golf, and play ice hockey.

Simple Advice To Help Avoid Getting In A Car Accident

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/21 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

Car accidents happen to the best of drivers but everyone can be proactive and take measures to be safe on the roads. More often than not, drivers who experience a car accident look back upon the situation and think of things that they wish they had done differently. Even the most experienced drivers who have accidents due to no fault of their own still have the capacity to improve their driving habits. Follow the simple pieces of advice outlined below to avoid accidents.

Stay Alert

Always keep your eyes on the road and the surrounding vehicles, whether it is the road immediately ahead of your or the road as seen in the rearview and side mirrors. Don’t let yourself get distracted by passengers in the car, objects that you pass by or your car stereo. Keep your hands on the steering wheel in the direction of a clock that has its hands pointed at ten and two. This way you will be able to properly control the vehicle in case you have to steer out of harm’s way. If you drink alcohol, sober up before getting behind the wheel.

Don’t Multitask

If your vehicle is equipped with steering wheel audio controls, use those instead of the nozzles on the center console. It is much easier to move your thumbs a few inches up and down instead of moving your entire arm to the right to hit the volume knob or to change the radio station. By using the steering wheel buttons you’ll be able to keep your eyes and your entire focus on the road instead of looking over at the stereo knobs.

Optimal Vision

A clear line of vision is essential to avoiding accidents. Always clean off your windshield and mirrors, especially during the winter months. Don’t rush off to work or another event with snow and ice still stuck on these surfaces. They’ll impede your vision. If you experience a problem with your windshield and rear window defrost controls, immediately take the vehicle in for repairs.

Regular Upkeep

Make sure that your car is regularly maintained by a professional mechanic to ensure that it operates as it should. Also, keep your tires inflated to the optimal pressure level to avoid a flat tire that could cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

Obey Speed Limits

Many accidents are caused by drivers who disregard speed limits and drive either too fast or too slow. Drivers should keep their eyes peeled for speed limit signs on all unfamiliar roads. Always leave early for work and other appointments so that you don’t have to rush to get there.

Take a Defensive Driving Course

The majority of drivers lose track of defensive driving techniques as they age. Take a defensive driving course to refresh your driving skills, awareness and strategies to avoid accidents and tickets. Most automobile insurers will offer discounts to customers who complete a defensive driving course.

Savannah Coulsen is a freelance writer. She lives in Raleigh. Savannah loves to read and write and she hopes to write a novel someday. Savannah also loves learning and is a self-proclaimed health guru. Savannah found information for this article from DUI Attorney Michael P. Jones.

Knowing Your Options In An Accident: 5 Facts Most People Don’t Know

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/03 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

A car accident is a burden for everyone. However, know that you have options when it comes to getting justice. No case is entirely predictable, but you do have some control over the results of your accident lawsuit. There are 5 facts that you should know if you ever get into an accident.

1. Increase Your Odds By Getting Everything in Writing

The court does not pay much attention to people who do not have written proof. The judge wants to see the police reports, insurance claims or medical bills up close. It is important to get every detail down in writing. It is easy to make a call and request for these documents. The more evidence you have, the more likely your case wins.

2. The Attorney Fees Could Take a Lot Out of Your Judgment

Before you get excited about getting a large settlement, know that you have to pay off the attorney. The contingency fee usually varies from 25 to 45 percent. And you could end up with less than half of the money needed to pay medical bills.

3. There Are Different Ways to Reach a Settlement

There is more than one way to reach a settlement for an accident. If you cannot resolve the matter in court, you can arrange a dispute resolution between the opposing sides. The dispute resolution is usually faster and less expensive. During this resolution, a third party is hired to hear both sides of the case and talk over important issues. Many people have heard of a settlement, but they do not know the exact details. They have options if they want to make a settlement.

4. All Lawsuits Have Deadlines

A lot of people think that they can sit around until they are ready to file an accident lawsuit. However, they should know that statutes of limitations apply to every case. Every state has different time frames, but the average one is two years. In states like North Dakota, the deadline is six years. In Kentucky and Louisiana, the accident victims have one year to take action.

5. You Are Not Always Likely to Prove Emotional Distress

You cannot always collect money for emotional distress or pain and suffering. Your personal injury attorney may want to do this, but proving this claim is not as easy as you think. Unless you saw a loved one die or suffered paralysis, it is hard to prove this claim. You can try, but your attorney is not likely to consider this option.

There is a whole field of lawyers who specialize in helping auto accident victims. To receive compensation for a crash, consider all of your choices. Decide if you want to obtain a judgment or settlement. Choose the right attorney to work by your side. Know the various steps that you must take to win your case. Having the right knowledge behind you will help you through this process and in turn help you get the kind of settlement you deserve if you choose that route.

Author:
Brionna Kennedy is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington, then moving down to Oregon for college. She enjoys writing on fashion and business, but any subject will do, she loves to learn about new topics. When she isn’t writing, she lives for the outdoors. Oregon has been the perfect setting to indulge her love of kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking. For this article she took a lot of information from the Attorney Firm of Joseph M. Todd, to inform you on the different options when in a car accident.