15Jul/090
What You Should Do If You Are Involved in a Car Accident
When you work as a Seattle personal injury attorney and handle auto accident cases in Seattle, Bellevue and throughout Washington, you learn that when a client needs to make an auto insurance claim, they should proceed with care as their actions can influence the amount of compensation they receive.
If you or someone you love has been involved in car accident in Seattle you should:
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Consult a Seattle personal injury lawyer who is an experienced accident attorney for legal advice.
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Review insurance policies to find out what is covered and what is excluded.
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Notify your insurance company right away after you are in a car accident, your car is stolen or damaged or another such covered event takes place.
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If possible take pictures of your vehicle, the accident site and your injuries.
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Take notes when you speak with your insurance company. Make a record of the names, job titles and phone numbers of the representatives with whom you communicate. If you can, get the names of their supervisors, too. Note what you discussed and what you or the representative promised to do.
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Tell your insurance company the truth. Not only does this save everyone a lot of time and effort, but questions of legal liability can be complex. If you fail to be forthcoming with your insurance company, this could invalidate or reduce your coverage.
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Investigate whether you have additional insurance coverage. Depending on the circumstances, supplemental coverage may come from another auto insurance policy, a homeowner's policy or umbrella coverage.
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Keep the receipts for money you've spent on car rental, medical bills and purchases made in connection with the motor vehicle accident.
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Make sure you're aware of the difference between the replacement value of your car and what you actually owe on the car. If the car is totaled, most car insurance will cover only the cash value of your car at the time of the accident. You may owe more than that, however, on the loan or the lease of the car. Gap coverage makes up for this difference. Additional coverage is usually necessary for things like a special sound system in your car.
The Gosanko Law Firm
7513 S. E. 27th St
Suite A
Seattle, WA 98040