Avoid These Top Mistakes When Dealing With an Uninsured Driver
Were you hit by an uninsured driver? If you’re in an accident, your plate is already full. Drivers often suffer from mental and physical injuries, not to mention damages to the car. These damages can impact your wallet and your ability to make money. To make matters worse, a lot of drivers make some key mistakes that can hurt their claims later. Here are the mistakes that you should avoid to ensure that you can file a claim.
Avoid Police Call
Uninsured drivers won’t want you to call the police! You shouldn’t refrain from calling the cops, however. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a wreck with an insured or uninsured driver, calling the cops should be number one on your priority list. If you suffered injuries or damages, the police report will serve as evidence in the claims process.
Accept Payment Offer
Given the lack of insurance, it makes sense that the other driver might offer you a payment on the spot. This might even sound like a good idea for you. It’s easy to make a snap decision when you’re already in shock from the accident. The problem with this is that if you accept money, it could hurt any future claims. You don’t know what types of damages your vehicle suffered. Likewise, you can’t know if you’re going to have any medical issues as a result. Hold off on payment.
Don’t Exchange Information
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If the other driver doesn’t have insurance, naturally you can’t exchange insurance information. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get the other driver’s personal details, however. Don’t choose to exchange information. Instead, gather the other driver’s name and contact information. You can also write down any vehicle details and take statements from witnesses.
Forget to Take Pictures
If you are able to, you should take picture evidence. Make sure that you have pictures of your vehicle and the other vehicle involved with the accident. In addition, you may want pictures of the traffic signs and the roads surrounding the two of you. This can help prove what happened in the accident.
Most people experience some amount of shock following an accident. It can be easy to make the wrong decisions. Every decision you make in the beginning, however, is going to affect your future claims. If you’re in an accident, you may need to discuss your case with a lawyer. Consult with a personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL today to find out how to handle your future claim.
Thanks to Needle & Ellenberg, P.A. for their insight into personal injury claims and dealing with uninsured drivers after being injured in a car accident.
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