Taking Care of Your Car Keeps You Safe

Tips For When The At-Fault Accident Party Is Unresponsive

27 April 2017 by Kent Alvarez

Nobody likes to deal with the aftermath of a car accident. But when you are the victim of the car accident and the other party isn't being very cooperative, things get even tougher. Here are some tips on how to deal with this situation without losing your sanity.

Hire an Accident Attorney

First of all, hire a car accident attorney. The attorney will take the lead on contacting insurers, providing you with next steps to take, and creating a demand letter for the insurance company. They will also advise you on critical ways to retain your rights when dealing with an insurance company that may try to get you to waive your rights to sue or give a recorded statement on your accident.

It's often, at worst, a wash to hire an attorney; they take a portion of the settlement, but they also increase the size of the settlement to begin with. But in many cases, you will see a net positive return on having a lawyer manage your case. And you'll save yourself from a lot of hassle.

File an Insurance Claim

Generally, it's the responsibility of the other party to start an insurance claim with their insurer if the accident was their fault. But sometimes they don't. In that case, you will probably have to do a little bit of extra work to get the insurance claim going. Your accident attorney can hunt around and find the right person to speak to for opening a claim. They will counsel you on how to respond to the typical questions the insurer will ask as well. A lawyer is important because they will help put pressure on the other insurance company and the party responsible for the accident. Without a lawyer, you have few allies; the insurance company will be working to protect their client, not you.

Get Auto Repair

Instead of following the claims adjuster's estimate, be sure you get a auto repair and auto body inspection at a place like Terwood Auto Repair. An adjuster may miss auto repair needs in their inspection and focus more on dings and scuffs when making their assessment. It takes a mechanic's eye to assess all the damage. 

Keep Track of Expenses and Create a Demand Letter

Once you get the insurance company notified of the accident, there is really little the other party can do to stop your claim. They will be legally obligated to respond to the claim. Otherwise, the claim will be ruled in your favor anyhow. Your lawyer will help you create a demand letter. That includes covering all of your expenses, plus paying for things like pain and suffering. Closing an insurance claim with an uncooperative other party is frustrating, but hang in there.

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