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stockton automobile accident lawyer |
Stockton Automobile Accident Lawyer | Stockton Automobile Accident AttorneyIf and When to Report an AccidentRegardless of who is to blame, or whether you are in a no-fault or fault system, the first thing you need to do after being involved in an accident, in almost all situation, is notify your insurance company. Even is the accident seems inconsequential at first, when everyone involved is apparently unharmed and agrees to settle the situation privately, you want to seriously consider including your insurance company. You premiums pay for economic protection and there are very, very few accident situations where you can safely forgo that security. Most insurance policies require that an accident be reported "promptly." If you zip your lips and your insurer later finds out about the accident through routine checks of traffic records, the company might raise your premiums or refuse to renew your policy. The company can even refuse to pay claims stemming from an unreported accident. Imagine your shock if, a month or two after privately paying a few hundred dollars to the other drive whose fender you crushed, you get notice that the other driver is suing you for assorted physical injuries and pain and suffering. To make matters worse, the other driver's lawyer argues that since you initially paid for the damage to the vehicle you admitted fault and are therefore responsible for all remaining damages. If your company covers the claim, it may refuse to renew your policy because you have become a high brisk driver. Like most businesses, insurance companies are concerned about expensive surprises, especially the kind that can be prevented with proper warning. When you bring the insurer into the picture at the beginning, the company can investigate the accident while the facts are still fresh. Insurance companies want to be involved at the onset so they can use their expertise to avoid expensive lawsuits and minimize damage costs. Admittedly, not every metal to metal bump and grind is lawsuit material. Insurance companies probably overdramatize the costs of unreported accidents and the threat of lawsuits. Some experts suggest that can safely be left out if no one is injured in the accident and the damages are less than two hundred dollars. But, considering how slowly some soft tissue injuries develop, you want to carefully weigh the consequences of a minor accident that might get complicated later. If you are injured in an accident contact a Stockton automobile accident attorney at the Friel Law Firm for free case consultation.
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