It may already be too late, but you should always call the police to come to the scene of the accident. In most situations the dispatcher for the police will ask if anyone has been injured in the accident, and if you say no, there is a good chance they will not send an officer to the accident scene. The reason we suggest you have a police report made is because the person who caused your accident may tell you at the accident that he/she was sorry for causing the accident, but later tells their insurance company that they are not really sure they caused the accident. That is why you want the police to get the other person’s version at the scene, so if they later try to change their story you already have their original story contained within the police report.
You should always contact your own insurance company as soon as possible, following the accident. They will set-up your insurance claim and assist you in getting your car repaired. They will also assist you in obtaining a rental car while your car is in the shop. Make sure to get photographs of your car before it is repaired. Also, if you have the opportunity while at the accident scene get photographs of the other person’s car.
In certain settings, such as if you have no rental coverage on your own car insurance policy, then you will need to contact the other person’s insurance company in order to set-up a rental car. There will also be times when they contact you directly. When talking to the other insurance company, do not permit them to take a recorded statement. It is certainly necessary in some cases that you need to call them, but it is never necessary that you give them a recorded statement.
If you are injured in your accident, you may need to obtain medical assistance. When obtaining medical assistance always provide the medical providers with your health insurance information. In some settings the health providers may ask for your car insurance information, to see if they can bill your car insurance instead of your health insurance. This can occur when your own policy includes medical pay coverage, which covers your medical bills for treatment of injuries sustained in a car accident. Only provide your health insurance to those medical providers because you may need to use your car insurance medical coverage later to pay you for all your deductible and copay expenses. Why should you ever be out-of-pocket for medical expenses, for an accident that you didn’t cause.
Always follow the advice of your doctors. Be proactive in obtaining the medical care you need for the injuries you sustained in any accident.
Our office of Carlsbad car accident lawyers are always available to assist you with any issues you may have following an accident. We have been assisting individuals such as yourself for over 42 years.