Should I Call My Insurance Company After an Accident?

Car accident victims should call their insurance company following a collision to help preserve their ability to seek compensation in the future.

Summary

• It’s important to contact your insurance company promptly to report the accident and secure your rights, even if damages seem minor.
• Notifying your insurer is crucial to protect against potential claims from the other driver and avoid legal issues.
• Reporting the accident creates an official record and ensures compliance with insurance policy deadlines.
• Car accident victims should avoid making statements to their insurance company that could jeopardize their claim; stick to facts or let a lawyer handle it.
• Florida’s no-fault insurance requires each driver’s insurer to cover a portion of their medical bills, regardless of fault.
• A car accident attorney aids in gathering evidence, handling insurance claims, and representing you in legal proceedings.

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Being involved in an accident is an overwhelming and stressful experience. The moments after the accident can be very confusing because there is often a lot to resolve. You may have sustained minor or even serious injuries, wrecked your car, or perhaps luckily evaded any damage. 

Many people wonder if they must contact their insurance company immediately after an accident, especially when no one has been hurt. Our team of accident injury lawyers is here to offer insight on when and why you should contact your insurer to secure your rights. 

At Jones Law Group, we have extensive experience in handling accident cases, and our dedicated personal injury attorneys are committed to fighting for the compensation that you deserve.

If you or your loved one has been involved in an accident, contact us for a free consultation by calling us at (727) 571-1333 or submitting this online contact form.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury Accident

Being involved in an accident can be a traumatizing experience. Your safety and well-being are important as well as securing your legal rights.

Here is what to do after an accident:

• Call the police to assess the scene and for support: Make an official report as this police report will form an official record of the accident.
• Seek medical attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Hidden injuries may not be apparent right away. Keep a record of your medical appointments, diagnoses, and treatments.
• Gather information: Collect essential information from the other driver(s), including their names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information, and vehicle details. If there are any witnesses, gather their contact information as well.
• Document the scene: Take photos of the accident scene, capturing the damaged vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries. If possible, note the direction of traffic flow at the time of the accident.
• Call your insurance company: Inform your auto insurance company about the accident as soon as possible.
• Contact your car accident lawyer: If you have suffered serious injuries or if the accident involves complex legal issues, consider consulting with a qualified car accident attorney near you.

Should I Call My Insurance Company After an Accident?

Even where damages seem quite minor, informing your insurance company about a car accident is a safer bet than failing to.

This is especially because the other driver may later decide to file a claim against your insurer if they discover that more harm was done. In such a scenario, you may get in legal trouble if you had not notified your insurance company of the incident.

Therefore, it is critical that you notify them of any accident in which injuries were sustained or property damaged. Additionally, alerting your insurance company that you were in a car accident protects your eligibility to use your collision insurance coverage.

Why Calling Your Insurance Company is Important

As already stated, one of the things you need to do immediately after being involved in an accident is to notify your insurance company. This is necessary for various reasons, as it helps you:

Get Coverage for Your Injuries

Treating injuries suffered, alongside other bills such as motor vehicle repairs, can be challenging. These unforeseen expenses can cause you financial strain, hence the need to know how to use your car insurance. 

Contacting your insurance company as soon as possible is therefore important. The insurance can assist you with covering some of your medical bills for your injuries and other damages suffered.

Even when you think an injury is too minor, you might discover how serious an injury is later on. Some injuries are not immediately noticeable as well. Make sure you get a thorough medical checkup just to be sure.

Create an Official Record of the Accident

Your insurance company will gather all relevant details about the accident, including any injuries you may have suffered. This creates an official record which may prove helpful should you decide to claim from the insurance company of the other driver later on. 

Additionally, should the at fault driver file a claim against your insurer, and your insurance company discovers that you did not notify them of the accident, you could face legal consequences.

Safeguard Your Right to File an Insurance Claim

Most if not all policies require you to promptly notify the insurance company as soon as possible. Sometimes, you may be locked out of claiming compensation for your injuries just because you missed a strict deadline in law. 

Such timelines make it critical to call your own insurance company as soon as possible after an accident. Always check your insurance policy about deadlines for filing a claim. Failing to observe deadlines is one of the major mistakes to avoid in a car accident case.

Start the Compensation Claim Process

If you intend to file a compensation claim with your insurer, you definitely have to start by notifying them of the accident as soon as possible. 

Other drivers may also claim that they suffered injuries in the accident. Giving a heads-up to your insurance company is a good idea to determine how best to move forward.

What Do I Tell My Insurance Company About My Car Accident?

As expected, your insurance company will want to know the specific details of the accident, any injuries you may have sustained, and any other information related to the auto collision.

Moments after an accident can often be confusing and overwhelming, so it is better to have your Florida personal injury attorney handle any discussions with the insurer. Always remember that anything you say, either to your own insurer or the other party’s insurance company, may be used against you.

That is why it is critical that you know how to talk to insurance companies without damaging your claim. For example, if you say you ‘feel fine’, the insurer may question your claim for medical payments coverage.

If you have to say anything, stick to the clear facts and politely decline inquiries from the insurance agent that could hurt your claim. Avoid speculating about your injuries, whether you feel responsible, or anything that could harm your claim such as admitting fault.

Contacting a St. Petersburg auto accident lawyer is highly recommended.

No-Fault Insurance Policy

Florida is a no-fault state, which means that after an accident, each driver’s insurance company is generally responsible for their own medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault.

Drivers are required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of at least $10,000 under Florida law in case of car accidents. PIP provides limited coverage for medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers.

However, if the accident results in serious injuries or death, or if the property damage exceeds a certain threshold, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the other party or their insurer.

How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help You With Your Insurance Company

It is often challenging to deal with an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit after an accident without a lawyer.

The legal processes require knowledge of the law and expertise, without which your chances of winning are minimal. Our team at Jones Law Group represents accident victims to establish their eligibility for compensation and negotiate fair settlements.

A car accident attorney can help you pursue fair compensation by offering several services:

Gathering Evidence After Car Accidents

A qualified Florida car accident lawyer will help you obtain the necessary evidence to seek compensation. Documentation such as accident reports, witness statements, medical records, and photographs can help build a strong case. Such evidence is critical to prove your claim and hold the at fault driver accountable.

Handling Insurance Claims

Negotiating with insurance companies can be frustrating especially if you have no legal representation. Insurers are always looking to minimize your compensation as much as possible.

If you are not careful, you might settle for a very low offer. An experienced car accident attorney knows the legal provisions applicable to insurance claims and how to interpret policy clauses.

They will use their skill and knowledge to obtain the maximum compensation possible. Additionally, they can ensure that your rights are protected throughout the claims process.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Although most accident cases settle out of court, you may have to file a personal injury claim in court in some instances. A personal injury lawyer can help in drafting and filing all necessary legal documents.

Typically, this will include submitting the complaint, discovery requests, and motions within the legal timelines.

Representing You in Court

Should your case go to trial, a car accident attorney will represent you in court. Their role will be arguing your case and presenting evidence to support your claims.

Schedule Your Free Consultation with Our Skilled Car Accident Attorneys Today

At Jones Law Group, we understand the challenges you might face after being involved in an accident. Our skilled St. Petersburg car accident lawyers are experienced in handling accident cases.

Trust our team to secure your rights and maximize your deserved compensation. We are ready to help you pursue your claim with utmost precision and care. Call us at (727) 571-1333 or submit this online contact form to get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions                                                                       

Is Florida a no-fault state?

Yes, Florida is a no-fault state. This means that after an accident, each driver’s insurance company is generally responsible for their own medical expenses. This applies regardless of who is at fault.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida?

You have a limited time in law to file your claim after an accident. In Florida, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. A court may make exceptions to the statute of limitations in rare cases.

Can I be compensated for medical bills and other damages even when I was partially at fault?

Florida follows a comparative negligence system, where a party partially at fault may be entitled to compensation. This applies where you are 50% or less at fault for your accident. The award will then be reduced based on the percentage of fault you are liable for.