After car accidents, many victims expect a battle with the other drivers’ insurers. They know those companies will want to protect their profits as much as possible, and that means their claims may be reduced or even outright denied.
But what many car accident victims don’t count on is their own car insurance providers playing hardball, too. Unfortunately, when it comes to giving out payments to injured victims, insurance companies operate the same way whether the victims are their policyholders or they were injured by their policyholders.
Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to increase your chances of getting full compensation from your insurer after a crash:
- Report the crash right away: Your insurer likely requires near immediate notification of any accidents, regardless of whether you were at fault or not. Call the claim reporting line within a day or two of the crash and tell your insurer what happened. Be honest about when and where the accident occurred and the severity of your injuries.
- Get medical treatment right away: Insurance companies are skeptical of just about every claim they receive. And when victims don’t go to the doctor in the hours or days immediately after an accident, they become even more skeptical. The sooner you go to the doctor or hospital, the more seriously the insurance company will view your claim.
- Call a lawyer right away: Getting a lawyer after a crash isn’t just for dealing with the other driver’s insurance company. It’s also for dealing with your insurance company! The sooner you call, the sooner your lawyer can start building your claim.
Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers is here to take your call 24/7. Contact our Virginia car accident lawyers anytime for a free consultation.
