No one ever expects to be in an at-fault collision, but unfortunately, accidents happen. Whether it’s a fender bender or a serious accident, being at fault can be a stressful and confusing experience. You may be worried about your insurance rates going up or you may be facing a lawsuit.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to lessen the impact of an at-fault collision claim. By understanding the claims process and taking action promptly, you can minimize the financial and legal fallout of an accident.
Keep reading to learn more about what to do when you’re in an at-fault collision claim.
What is an At-Fault Collision Claim?
An at-fault collision claim is a type of insurance claim that is made when you are involved in an accident and are determined to be at fault. This type of claim is typically more expensive than a no-fault claim, as you will be responsible for paying for the damages to the other party’s vehicle as well as any other expenses related to the accident, such as medical bills.
Who is held responsible for an At-Fault Collision Claim?
In most cases, the driver who is found to be at fault in a collision will be held responsible for any damages that result from the accident. If you are involved in an at-fault collision, you may be responsible for paying for the other driver’s damages, as well as any damage to your vehicle. In some cases, you may also be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result of the accident.
If you are found to be at fault in a collision, it is important to know your rights and responsibilities. You may be required to pay for the other driver’s damage, but you may also be entitled to recover damages from the other driver if they were also at fault. If you have been involved in an at-fault collision, you should speak to an experienced attorney to help you understand your rights and options.
How to file an At-Fault Collision Claim?
If you are in a car accident, it’s important to know what to do. In this article, we will outline the steps for filing an at-fault collision claim.
- Gather Evidence: The first step is to gather evidence from the scene of the accident. This includes photos of the damage done to both cars, witness statements, and police reports (if available).
- Contact Your Insurer: Once you have gathered all of the necessary evidence, contact your insurer and let them know about the accident. Be sure to provide them with as much information as possible so that they can begin processing your claim.
- File a Police Report: If the accident was serious enough, you will need to file a police report. This document will serve as proof that the accident occurred and will help supports your insurance claim.
- Wait for Approval: It typically takes insurers several weeks or months to process collision claims. During this time, be sure to cooperate with their requests and stay patient while they investigate the case.
- Collect Damages: After your claim has been approved, you will be able to collect damages for any property damage or injuries sustained in the accident.
What to do after you have filed an At-Fault Collision Claim?
After you have filed an at-fault collision claim, the next step is to wait for the insurance company to process your claim and contact you. During this time, it is important to gather as much information as possible about the accident. This includes:
- The Names and Contact Information of all Parties Involved: You will need to get the names and contact information of everyone involved in the accident, including drivers, passengers, witnesses, etc.
- The Vehicle Information for All Vehicles Involved: Get the make, model, year, license plate number, and insurance information for all vehicles involved in the accident.
- Photos of the Accident Scene: If possible, take photos of the accident scene from various angles. This will help with documenting what happened during the accident.
- Copies of any Police Reports or Traffic Tickets Issued: Make sure to get a copy of any police reports or traffic tickets that were issued as a result of the collision.
Once you have gathered all this information, you can then provide it to your insurance company. They will use it to process your claim and determine who was at fault for the accident.
Conclusion
The best thing to do when you’re in an at-fault collision claim is to contact (626) 602-9483 and visit a personal injury attorney. At San Gabriel Valley Personal Injury Attorneys, we can help you understand your rights and options, and we will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve.