You can have a valid car accident claim, and oftentimes, an insurance company will manage to place a low settlement value on your claim. What do they look for?

1)      Are you telling the truth throughout the whole process?

a.       What did you say to the responding officer at the accident

b.      What was discussed with your doctors?

c.      Did you tell them everything? If your back is hurting, and you don’t tell them, you haven’t told them everything!

d.       Are you exaggerating your pain with your doctor?

2)      Are you following your doctor’s advice?

a.       Skipping doctor’s appointments, no matter how inconvenient, makes it look like you’re not really that hurt

3)      Assume the other driver’s insurance has your best interests at heart

a.       They are not representing you! They’re looking to minimize any potential payment to you

4)      Missing the deadline to file suit

5)      Not seeing a doctor immediately

a.       Insurance companies love to argue “delay in treatment = not hurt”

This will be very important later on if an accident report was not filed were completed by the police officer. Oftentimes a police officer was not have time to completely fill out the accident report.

You should obtain:

1.      The other driver’s name, address (people often have a different address than what is on their drivers license), date of birth, phone number, and insurance information.

2.      Note the other cars involved in the accident, the makes and models, and the license plates

3.      Ask the other driver who owns the car (because the owners insurance may be involved as well).

4.      If you can, get the names and contact information from any of the passengers and witnesses.

5.      If you have your cell phone or camera, take pictures of the cars involved in the surrounding area. Check if there any skid marks on the road as well.