Car accidents happen all the time, but that doesn’t make them any less chaotic. While your car insurance will handle most of the details, you may still need to communicate with the other driver. To protect your legal rights, it’s important to handle things the right way when talking to the other driver.
At the Scene of the Accident
Once you step out of your vehicle, remain calm and level-headed. You may communicate with the other driver for reasons such as checking for injuries, moving vehicles out of traffic, or calling the police. Having a rational, polite attitude will be helpful because you will also need to collect some basic information from the other party, such as their insurance provider, phone number, and driver’s license details. When you talk to them, make sure to use neutral statements that don’t assign blame or fault, and definitely avoid taking responsibility for the accident.
After Filing a Claim
Typically, your insurance company will handle all communications after you have reported the accident. At this point, you won’t need to talk to the other driver anymore. Part of your insurance provider’s job is to investigate who is at fault in the accident, and staying in contact with the other driver can complicate the investigation. If the other driver happens to reach out to you again, refer them to your insurance representative or attorney.
What If the Other Driver Wants to Skip Insurance?
You may encounter a situation where the other driver wants to pay you out-of-pocket for damages instead of contacting your insurance companies. While there may seem to be some initial benefit to doing this, it’s not advisable to go the out-of-pocket route. The other driver may change their mind later, or you may experience latent symptoms of an injury you weren’t aware of at the time. If the other driver involved in your accident suggests doing this, don’t argue with them, but do contact your insurance provider anyway. If you have sustained an injury, no matter how minor, consider retaining a trusted personal injury attorney.
The legal and financial consequences of a car accident can be intricate, especially if you’ve been injured. The next time you experience a car accident, be sure to get ahead of any potential issues by contacting your insurance provider and a personal injury lawyer.
This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write about business, finance, and family issues. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. You can find Dixie on Facebook.
