fall river car accident lawyerWhen you get into a car accident and you know it’s not your fault, you might be tempted not to report it to your insurer because the driver at fault will compensate you. This is a bad idea because you may be unable to obtain benefits from your insurance policy if they find out you never reported your accident.

Not only can the at-fault driver refuse to pay you, but they can call your insurer to make a claim. Be careful, however, while speaking to an insurance adjuster because you might make statements that can be used against you. If you are in doubt, consider hiring a Fall River car accident lawyer to help you out with your case.

Why You Should Notify Your Insurance Company of Your Car Accident

There is a difference between filing a car accident claim and notifying your insurer about the accident. Below are some of the reasons why you should contact your insurer as soon as possible:

1. You are Bound By the Contract You Signed

There is a provision in your policy contract that requires you to notify your insurer within a certain amount of time. Failure to do so means you’ve breached your contract.

2.You’re Insurance Company Has a Duty to Defend

If the other driver files a car accident lawsuit against you, your insurer has the right to hire a car accident attorney to defend you. If you don’t notify your insurance company within the time frame indicated in your contract, you might lose this protection.

3.You Protect Yourself Against Fraud

People file fake injury claims all the time. Your situation might not be any different even if the other driver assured you that they were unharmed. The last thing you want is for your insurer to be caught unawares by a fake injury claim simply because you did not report your accident.

4. It Offers You Convenience

It’s much easier for your insurer to handle your car repair than for you to have to visit a bunch of car repair shops to get your car repaired. They will also seek compensation on your behalf from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

5. The Driver Might not Have Insurance

Your uninsured motorist coverage might cover your damage claims if the driver at fault has no valid insurance.

What Should You Tell Your Insurance Company After an Accident?

You need to be careful about what you say to an insurance company when you call them to notify them about your car accident. Your comments could be used against you when you file your car accident claim. This not only applies to your own insurer but to the at-fault driver’s insurance company as well. Below are some of the things you shouldn’t say while speaking to an insurer:

1. Making Statements You Can’t Verify

Accidents can be traumatizing and most car accident victims are usually in a state of shock, stress, or confusion. Try as much as possible to avoid making any statements immediately after an accident unless you have been counseled to do so by your car accident lawyer in Fall River.

2. Don’t Admit Fault

Don’t make statements that imply you are at fault such as “I’m sorry”, “I didn’t see you,” and so on. Instead, you should describe what happened without mentioning who was at fault. Let the police and insurance adjuster do their investigation and come up with their own verdict.

3. Don’t Accept a Car Accident Settlement

At least until after you’ve consulted a Fall River car accident lawyer. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will make a low-ball offer especially if you don’t have a car accident lawyer representing you. You should have the true value of your case evaluated by a lawyer who specializes in car accident settlements.

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Fall River When Reporting Your Accident to Your Insurer

Whether you are pursuing a claim against your own insurer or the at-fault driver’s insurer, you could face the same challenges as to the seriousness of your injuries. This is why you need to be careful about discussing your car accident claim with an adjuster. At Kevin P Landry Law Offices, we offer free initial consultations. Contact us today at 508-676-0001 to schedule yours.