When you are involved in a car accident, and your vehicle sustains physical damage, there are certain steps one should take to get their automobile properly repaired:
- If you have full coverage, then use your own insurance to pay your claim. Your own insurance company will treat you better because you are their customer.
- Don’t use the other person’s insurance to repair your car, unless you do not have full coverage.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other person’s insurance company, unless there is an attorney present. Saying the wrong thing to the other side can damage the outcome of your claim.
- If your car is a total loss and you don’t have full coverage, try and have the car towed to your home or a secure location. This will stop the accrual of storage costs at the tow yard. Store costs can be as high as $35.00 per day.
- Make sure the police are called to the accident scene. A Police report helps the insurance company determine liability faster.
- Complete a RMV crash report. Completing a crash report helps the insurance adjuster determine liability faster. A crash report should be completed within five days of the accident in accordance with MGL c. 90, section 26. This can be found at the RMV website www.massrmv.com/rmv/forms.
- Take pictures of the accident scene. Look for skid marks left on the roadway.
- Take pictures of any bruising or lacerations to your body.
- Hire an experienced Haverhill personal injury attorney to help guide you to success with your claim.
