Imagine you by a brand new car on Monday and then on Tuesday, just under twenty-four hours after driving off the lot and less than fifty miles on the vehicle, you are involved in a new car accident. Now the body shop is telling you that it is going to cost $20,000 in damages and take at least a month to repair. So, how do you handle a new car accident claim?
What to Do
When you are involved in a new car accident, the first thing that you need to do is get in touch with your insurance company immediately. Delayed reporting of your claim may affect your settlement. In addition, you also need to make sure to document any conversations that you have with the other persons involved in the crash as well as their insurance company. Remember to be honest to avoid claim fraudulence, but never admit liability.When you file a new car accident claim, you must consider a number of different factors before you submit a dollar amount to the insurance company. The basics are automobile repair, rental car, medical bills and lost wages. Simply add all of these things up to get a total, remembering to save any receipts as proof.When it comes to putting a price on your pain and suffering, it is usually best to bid higher than you expect to receive. Insurance companies are always going to try to get away with giving you the least amount possible, so start your bid high.
Get the Most from Your New Car Accident Claim
If you plan to be compensated for damages related to a new car accident, you want to get the most you can. Here are a few tips that may help:
- For damages and repairs, make sure you get two or three estimates and then use the highest amount in your claim. The other party’s insurance company will have his or her own estimation, but this will allow you to negotiate for a higher payout. Remember to include towing fees and storage costs.
- Be honest, yet creative when it comes to non-economic damages from the humiliation and suffering related to the new car accident. These damages are intended to get you back to the point you were at before the accident.
- Do not be afraid to ask for more money than you think you need. This is the reason for insurance in the first place.
Will You Need a Lawyer?
Depending on the severity of your new car accident claim, you may need to seek legal representation. If you are injured and unable to deal with insurance companies on your own, it is a good idea to hire a lawyer to take care of everything for you. In addition, having the right legal representation can drastically increase the amount you receive for compensation, so it is always a good idea to at least consult an attorney in such matters.
