The aftermath of a car accident can be incredibly overwhelming. Not only are you dealing with painful injuries, but you’ll also need to turn your mind directly towards the next legal steps. While we all understand the importance of calling legal professionals from the scene, you may be less clear on one crucial fact: should you put in a call to your insurance company if the other party caused the accident in the first place?
You may assume that, because you aren’t at fault, you needn’t worry about insurance on your end. However, advice generally states that you should contact your insurance company from the scene, even if the other driver is to blame.
There are several reasons why doing this is essential for ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. Let’s consider them here.
#1 – Ensuring Proper Records
If you don’t contact your insurer, they’ll have no record of an accident ever having taken place. This can make it look like you’re hiding something if the other driver later contests their fault in the accident. And that’s terrible news for your case.
Hence, you should immediately contact your insurer with detailed information about everything from the make and number plate of the other car to the location, date, time, and circumstances of the accident. That way, you can rest easy knowing that there’s a timely, accurate record of everything that happened for use at a later date.
#2 – Tapping into All Available Benefits
While we often focus on things like compensation when it comes to car accident claims (which will typically come from the other driver’s insurance in this instance), there are a range of additional benefits that you can only ensure by contacting your insurer right away.
Depending on your policy, your insurer may provide upfront towing coverage, as well as collision coverage that sees them paying for a new vehicle upfront. Simply let them know what’s happened, the state of your vehicle, and any immediate steps that you need them to take.
#3 – Another Line of Defence
Even if you’re not at fault, the other driver may try to paint themselves as the victim later on. This is why it’s so important to contact professionals like The Law Champ, a personal injury law firm that can ensure your defense right away. But did you know that your insurance company is also a crucial part of your legal team?
That’s because they’re required to provide free legal defense if a claim is brought against you. If your insurance company doesn’t know what’s happened, then they can’t possibly offer this benefit. But, if you keep them informed and ensure that they’re in talks with your personal injury team, you can take steps to both avoid unjustified legal recourse and ensure a stronger case against the other party.
The aftermath of any car accident can be overwhelming, but trust us when we say that you’ll want to put in a call to your insurance company regardless of where fault lies!
Also read: Important Factors to Consider While Choosing A Car Insurance Company
