|
Traffic Accident Insurance Claims Article
By: Dan Baldyga
You were struck and it’s clearly not your
fault! If at all possible, don’t remove your vehicle
until the police arrive, allowing them to ensure whatever
evidence that may be important.
THE EYE WITNESS: If you have a pad and pen with
you it’s not a good idea to ask, “Did you witness
this“? More often than not that will turn them off!
It’s much better to ask, “What happened
here?” If the individual is willing to talk don’t
insist, “Give me a written statement”, because
that seems too formal or demanding. Since you’re obviously
busy, hand them the pad and pen and say something like, “Please,
while I take some photograph” (or whatever) “just
write down what you saw.” Then go on about your business.
When that person is finished, thank them profoundly
and say something like, “I’ll go over this later.
In case I can’t make something out, please, give me
your name and a phone number where I can reach you if I have
any questions.”
More often than not if you read their statement
and then insist, “Sign this,” you’ll put
them on the defensive. With a statement in their handwriting,
it can later be concluded that the statement is indeed theirs.
If they sign it great, but don’t make an issue of it
because you want them on your side!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: Because a witness may seem
credible and may believe what they’re saying is true
doesn’t mean they’re correct. Credibility and
honesty have nothing to do with if their memories slip a bit.
That’s why (since memories and honesty have nothing
to do with it) you should try to get it in writing!
REFUSING MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE SCENE
Many people (even when they feel pain) will
refuse medical attention at the scene and go home. Then, after
several hours of increasing pain, they’ll need help.
Should they end up dealing with the typical Insurance Adjuster
(who is quick to assume they’re being conned by another
crooked individual) they’re told that the pain they
allegedly felt had nothing to do with an injury! That’s
the reason why one should immediately (either by ambulance
or somehow be driven there) demand they be brought to the
closest Emergency Room.
Whenever you’ve been the victim of somebody
else’s lack of care while operating their motor vehicle,
it’s very important that you immediately contact the
local police department.
Don’t listen to the other operator who
may say, “Hey, we’ll handle this ourselves”.
NEVER FORGET: The individual making such a statement
may possibly tell a completely different story (than the one
they tell you at the scene) when the matter is discussed with
the police and/or their own insurance company.
ALSO: There’s a “Time-Lapse Of Memory”
thing which (more often than not) comes into play. Many times
witness’s are much better at articulating a circumstance
- - even if they’re dead wrong!
An “Honest Person” may tell it exactly
the way it was but they may not seem convincing; whereas a
“Practiced Liar” can often persuade people to
believe their story to be true - - when it’s not!
>> Return
to traffic accident insurance claims articles
DISCLAIMER:
The purpose of this article "HANDLING
YOURSELF AT YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT SCENE" is for
all readers to understand the motor vehicle accident claim
process. Neither Dan Baldyga, Scott Baker, I GOT HIT, LLC,
and/or the Accident Resource make any guarantee of any kind
whatsoever, NOR do they purport to engage in rendering any
professional or legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer,
an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like.
Where such professional help is desired it is THE INDIVIDUAL’S
RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.
Dan Baldyga’s third and latest book,
AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate
And Settle Your Loss) can be found on the internet at http://www.caraccidentclaims.com
or http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com.
This book reveals “How To” handle your property
damage claim so you won’t be taken advantage of. It
also goes into detail regarding BASE (The Baldyga Auto Accident
Settlement Evaluation Formula). THE BASE FORMULA explains
how to determine the value of the “Pain and Suffering”
you endured - - because of your personal injury!
Copyright (c) 2005 By Daniel G. Baldyga.
All Rights Reserved.
Dan Baldyga - Author
dbpaw@comcast.net
AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM
(How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss)
http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com
|
