Many drivers feel unsure about what steps to take after a car accident in Indiana. You may be familiar with the general advice to call your insurance company after a wreck, but many feel unsure if that only applies to accidents they caused.
So, should you call your car insurance company even if an accident was not your fault? Generally, the professionals recommend you notify your insurance agent of any collision, even those caused by other drivers.
You can learn more about the reasoning behind this suggestion with our team of Indiana car accident lawyers at Vaughan & Vaughan. Find out more by calling or filling out our online contact form.
What Insurance Company Should You Call After a Car Accident?
Indiana recommends several steps after an accident. The state suggests contacting your insurance company immediately after an accident, regardless of who caused the collision. You may need to contact the police first to report the accident, and you may require treatment for your injuries.
However, once you take these steps, contacting your insurance company and a car accident lawyer should be an essential concern.
Why do You Contact Your Insurance Company After an Accident?
You should call your insurance company even if an accident isn’t your fault in Indiana. This step plays an essential role in helping you secure compensation for your losses, as it helps to establish that the accident occurred when and how you say it did.
Getting in touch with the insurance company immediately means they can file official paperwork about your collision and help you with other aspects of your claim, like getting a rental car to drive or finding the right dealership to repair your vehicle.
Taking this step can make it more difficult for insurance companies to deny your claim as your case progresses. It may also make it harder for them to downplay the extent of your losses following a wreck.
How does Insurance Work If a Wreck Isn’t Your Fault?
If someone else hits your vehicle in Indiana, you should report the incident to your insurance company. The firm may cover your expenses as you pay for vehicle repairs and medical treatment.
If you were not at fault for the wreck, your insurance company could pursue damages to cover these losses from the other driver’s insurance. Insurance agents often deal with this process while you recover from your injuries.
However, the other insurance company may try to blame you for the accident. You may work with a car accident lawyer in Indiana in this situation. Your lawyer can represent your interests and even help you file a lawsuit.
Should You Contact the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
Generally, you should call your car insurance company even if an accident is not your fault. However, we recommend that you avoid contacting the insurance company representing the other driver.
The other insurance company primarily wants to protect its bottom line. In order to accomplish this task, insurance agents may try to blame you for the wreck. They may also try to deny that your injuries came from the collision to take advantage of you.
The other insurance company may:
Use What You Say Against You
Insurance agents can take what you say and twist your words. They may ask for a recorded statement and then argue against compensating you based on the information you provide. Always speak to a lawyer before giving a recorded message.
Try to Offer a Subpar Settlement
The other insurance company may quickly offer you a deal after a wreck, hoping you’ll accept it before you know the full extent of your losses. Once you accept an agreement, you may not have a chance to secure additional compensation.
Therefore, we recommend allowing a car accident lawyer to review any insurance deal before you sign. Then, your lawyer can review the document and decide whether or not it covers all your losses.
What Funds do You Get If Someone Else Hit Your Car?
If someone else hits your car in Indiana, you should report the accident to the police and your insurance company. You may also want to contact a car accident lawyer for help securing funds to cover all your losses.
Your legal team may help you secure funds to cover your:
- Current and future healthcare expenses
- Lost wages and earning potential
- Vehicle repair expenses
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
Lawyers can assist with a claim by showing that someone else caused your collision and backing up your statement with evidence gathered through a thorough investigation. For example, your lawyer may speak with witnesses, look for photos or videos, and handle insurance agents on your behalf.
What Information Should You Give Your Insurance Company?
You should call your insurance company after any accident, including one caused by another driver. Your insurance agents may ask for information after the wreck so they can begin working on your claim.
Insurance agents generally want information about the following:
- The make and model of the car that struck you
- The license plate number of the other vehicle
- The name of the other driver and any passengers
- The location where your accident occurred
- The date and time of the accident
The agent may also ask about your speed at the time of the wreck, weather conditions, and details about the police who arrived to file a report.
Speak to Us and Learn More About Insurance Companies
Should you call your car insurance company even if an accident was not your fault? Our team at Vaughan & Vaughan recommends contacting your insurance company after any accident and contacting a car accident lawyer to focus on maximizing your settlement.
Learn more by calling or filling out our online contact form.
