6 Important Mistakes to Avoid After Having a Car Accident

6 Important Mistakes to Avoid After Having a Car Accident

Being in a car accident is not something that most people want to think about. However, being able to act appropriately in the time following your accident can make a big difference in your outcome with the insurance companies. We’re going to help you prepare by sharing six important mistakes that you’ll want to avoid after being involved in a car accident.

1- Saying “I’m Sorry”

After you’re involved in an accident, the last thing that you want to do is admit fault. While this may seem pretty obvious, think again. It’s very easy to feel bad that the accident happened and naturally say “I’m Sorry”. To you, it didn’t mean that you were admitting fault, just that you were sorry that the scenario happened in the first place. However, the other driver’s insurance company will go out of their way to use any apologies you make against you during the claims process.

2- Speaking to the Other Insurance Company

After an accident occurs, especially if it was deemed to be the other person’s fault, the last thing you want to do is speak with their insurance company. Their insurance company’s objective is to pay out as little as possible on the claim. They will try to get you to speak to them directly after the accident while you’re still shaken up. Most times, they will record the conversation so that they can discredit you for any parts of your story that change later on.

3- Not Calling a Lawyer

When you’re dealing with a car accident, it can pay to have a knowledgeable lawyer by your side. This holds especially true if the accident was the other person’s fault. They will simply be looking out for your best interests and help you navigate the whole claims process to ensure that you get what you deserve.

4- Not Getting an Accident Report

When either vehicle is unable to be driven from the scene of the accident, you need to get an accident report. This shows proof that the accident happened where you said it did and that the other party was physically there. Police officers handle accidents every day, so don’t feel bad giving them a call to ensure that your best interests are looked after when you’re involved in a vehicular accident.

5- Taking Cash

Realize that you’re likely not going to be in your right frame of mind right after an accident. Accidents are well-known to shake people and distort their judgment. If the other driver is at fault and they offer you cash at the scene to pay for the repairs, simply don’t take it. In most cases, they’re trying to avoid having to report the accident to their insurance company. While the cash amount may seem like it’s high enough to cover the cost of repairs, you really don’t know until your vehicle is looked at. Don’t take the chance as you may be stuck with a hefty repair bill.

6- Not Gathering Evidence

Lastly, you should always do your best to gather evidence at the scene. This means taking pictures of your car and any other cars involved. Take pictures of the locations and the roads as well as any debris that is left behind. Take witness statements and try to get their contact numbers for your lawyer to call later.

5 Things To Do After A House Fire

5 Things To Do After A House Fire

After a house fire, many things need to get done. Unfortunately, the process of dealing with this disaster can be overwhelming and challenging to navigate. To assist you in navigating this tough time, we’ve created a list of 5 Things To Do After A House Fire to assist you in getting back on your feet after such an unfortunate event!

1- Contact Your Insurance Company

After a house fire, you’ll want to report the incident as soon as possible to let them know about the event. After you do that, your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the damage and figure out what needs to be covered. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure you contact this company at least a few days after the fire so they can determine the cause.

2- Call A Fire Restoration Company

One of the worst parts about a house fire is the damage to your home. After going through the inconvenience, pain, suffering, and loss from a house fire, it can be hard to clean up the wake of disaster left behind. Therefore, you should call a fire restoration team to the site as soon as possible. They will clean and repair the damage caused by the fire for your home to be habitable again. It’s also important to contact them immediately to begin working on getting rid of any smoke smells or water damage from extinguishing the fire.

In many cases, their experts help to alleviate the stress by working with your insurance company to document the damages and assist in completing claim forms,

3- Alert Family And Friends

If possible, we also highly recommend that you contact family and friends to let them know what happened. During this time of uncertainty, they might be able to assist with temporary shelter, clothes, or other resources to help you work your way through the disaster.

4- Contact Community Outreach

Another helpful resource during a crisis is community outreach organizations such as local churches or the Red Cross. These groups provide aid during these disasters by helping to find shelter, offering financial assistance, and keeping families together in this time of need. They can also assist with other requirements related to the fire, such as finding resources for clothing or food.

5- Contact Your Employer

After a devastating fire, it may be necessary to contact your employer. In most cases, businesses will allow you some time off after a fire as long as they have notification of the situation. For example, if you find that you have lost all of your personal belongings in this disaster, it can be helpful to let them know this when you make the phone call. Most employers will understand the situation, and in many cases, your co-workers will rally behind you to help you work through the problem.

Time It Takes To Clean Up After A House Fire

If you can clean up some of the mess from fires on your own, you should wait at least 24 – 48 hours before starting this process. The reason for this is to prevent you from inhaling dangerous fumes and particles that may still be in the air, and that is why calling a fire restoration company is smart. After all, why risk your health and wellbeing when you’ve lost so much already?