How to Financially Recover from a Car Accident
Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 6:00 AM | Leave Comment
A relatively minor car accident can bring your life to a grinding halt, and the steps that you take after one of those incidents might impact your finances for years.
Luckily, with a solid plan in place and a little professional help, you should be able to move on with your life with the compensation that you deserve.
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Document Everything
The information that you collect after an accident could make or break your claim, and that is why you should try to gather as much data as possible. In addition to writing down the other driver’s name and insurance information, you also need to snap a few pictures of the scene. If the accident was serious and a police officer arrives, then you must ask for their name and badge number as well.
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Immediately File a Claim
Many drivers don’t realize that they only have a short window in which they must file a claim after an accident. If you don’t contact your insurance company right away, then you could potentially void your policy. As a general rule, you should try to file an official claim within one or two days of an accident. When you contact your insurance company, you only have to give them basic information, such as where the accident took place and who was involved.
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Contact an Attorney
Even if the accident seems to be relatively minor, you might still want to contact an auto accident injury attorney to explore your legal options. An insignificant accident could potentially result in huge expenses if you aren’t careful, and your attorney is going to help you protect your finances. After you hire your attorney, you won’t have to worry about negotiating with insurance representatives or building a case if the situation escalates to a legal battle.
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Build an Emergency Fund
It is an unfortunate fact that a collision can wreak havoc on your finances, and there is no guarantee that you are going to receive compensation right away. That is why everyone should try to build up an emergency fund for situations like auto accidents or medical emergencies. At the very least, your emergency fund must be large enough to cover all of your basic expenses for two or three months.
Dealing with an auto accident is never going to be easy, but there are a few steps that you can take to make this process as stress-free as possible. With a little bit of diligence and a solid plan, you will be able to protect your finances and avoid long-term legal troubles.
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Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on twitter and Facebook.
