A:

To protect yourself and your finances after an auto accident, there are five key steps to take that ensure you receive compensation for your damages and injuries:

1. Contact the police to inform them that there has been an accident. Do not move your vehicle or any debris and do not try to negotiate with the other driver before a police officer arrives. If there is a discrepancy in the story both sides tell, it will be important to have the police there to create an accurate report. The police report will also help in establishing fault, while determining if both parties have insurance or not. Your insurance company will need this report to evaluate your future claims.
2. Get contact information from the other driver. Even if you know the other driver doesn’t have insurance, take down their name, phone number, and email address. Some insurance companies require the other driver to sign a document stating that they do not have auto insurance before they will pay any kind of uninsured motorist claim.
3. Contact your insurance company. After completing the police report and obtaining the driver’s information, notify your insurance provider that you were in an accident in order to file a claim for compensation. If the report establishes that you are not at fault, this will not affect your policy rates. Most car insurance policies have an “uninsured motorist” plan. These plans help you, the policy holder, in cases like this where you get into an accident when the other driver was at fault and doesn’t have insurance.
4. Hire a lawyer. You need an Little Rock car accident lawyer who can help protect you whether you decide to sue the uninsured driver or file an uninsured driver claim. Your lawyer can aid in the success of your case by investigating if the other party has funds or assets they are trying to hide from you and court. They can also help negotiate payment plans with the defendant in order to get you the outcome you deserve.
5. File a claim with the insurance company. If suing the uninsured driver is not in your financial best interest, be prepared to enter the claims process with your insurance company. Sometimes, your insurance company will try to allot you the smallest amount available under your policy by minimizing the damages listed in the police report, so having a lawyer there ensures that you are represented accurately and treated fairly by the other driver, your insurance company, and the court.