Since everybody here are having wrecks left and right and everybody seems to be getting screwed over, I am going to lend a good bit of advice. I hope I am at help and I EXPECT all suggestions and help from other members as far as advice goes. Help your fellow member so that just in case, they wont get screwed
Step 1: If you have a pretty hard impact, GO TO THE HOSPITAL. This is only if you are NOT at fault. It dont matter whether its in the ambulance or somebody takes you, GO GET CHECKED OUT! I did have symptoms of a back ache until I got into the ambulance. I was later diagnosed with whip lash. If you dont go to the hospital then you will have complications afterwards more than likely IF your impact was pretty rough. This kind of rough to be an example:
I did that at 45mph which was the speed limit. A lady pulled out in front of me. You wont feel the pain right away most instances because of the adrenaline rush.
Step 2: Know a reputable towing company! Small companys are better because like down here, they are more caring about your stuff than they are about making money. My mom knew a good towing company and had the highway patrol call a small company in a town over. They have been great with giving me advice and looking after my stuff. Though all companies arent responsible for your belongings so either YOU go get them out or have somebody do it for you. This includes your radio and anything of value. Leave your trash in the car of course. This includes expensive rims, jdm parts, and just anything of value.
Step 3: File the proper accident report with your insurance company. In SC its called an FR-10 and you have to file it with your insurance company within 15 days. Im not sure how your state does it so you are on your own with that.
Step 4: File a claim with the insurance company of the policy holder of the person at fault. You will give them some information and an adjuster will call you after the claim is made. He is going to record you for a statement. Make sure you have a damn good story and dont fuck up. Any slight fuck up in the statement you make determines if you get paid or not. So make sure you have a correct statement.
Step 4: CALL THE LAWYER! Whether or not you think it is fit, call a lawyer and make sure you call a good one. The adjuster is going to be all nice to your face and make you feel like you dont need one. WRONG. Call a good reputable lawyer in your area and not one of those big time ones that have a commercial every 5 minutes on the tv. I made that mistake already. They are taking 33% of the claim which is normal for most firms. I have heard as low as 10%. BUT you get what you pay for just remember that. Whether you are hurt or not, more than likely you are going to end up at the chiropractor.
Step 5: Im sure the adjuster has called you by now. And the first thing he is going to do is try and tow the car to another lot. DONT DO IT UNLESS YOU HATE YOUR CAR AND LOVE BEING SCREWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY! They will attempt to sabotage your vehicle or find a way to not have to pay. They will try to say that you werent able to stop or your brake lights arent working or something like that. Your local neighborhood towing company will look after you if they care. This is why I say get somebody that you know or find somebody with great reviews. In my case, I did NOT let the adjuster touch my car unless it was being appraised at the lot and a check is put in my hand. I can PROMISE parts will go missing and you wont ever see them again. And better yet, you wont be reimbursed for the damages/missing items.
Step 6: Go to your therapy if you need it. Dont miss an appointment unless you are on the death bed. AND GET YOUR FREE RENTAL CAR! AND HAVE FUN WITH IT but I do not condone the acts of jumping rail road tracks, mudding, or anything of that nature. Just make sure it comes back with a full tank of gas.
Step 7: Keep in contact with your lawyer and ASK ALOT OF QUESTIONS. Come up with a list and ask. It doesnt hurt to pick up that phone and call him/her. Ask your friends, parents, or the old and wise. GET ADVISE.
Step 8: Hurry up and wait. Insurance companies are SLOW. And I mean SLOW. They dont care about you, your car, or your condition. It can be a month before you see money. This is why I say call the damn lawyer.
Step 9: Receive currency. I am 100% positive you will get screwed out of your settlement for your car. They are old and they go by the local market value which is MADE UP. NightWolf only got $1100 for his wagon when it was wrecked. I only got $1800 for my wagon when it was wrecked (nov '07). Be prepared! Keep receipts of all repairs and body work. This MIGHT help you get a little more but not likely.
Step 10: You are on your own as of now. Find another car, or fix the one you have. More than likely you will be handed a salvage title. Try to avoid this as much as you can. It will prevent getting screwed again later on down the road.
Step 11: STAY SMART! Stay ahead of the game next go round and try to avoid accidents at all costs even if they are not going to be your fault and you THINK you will get some money. And if you have to choose between hitting the person at fault or a guard rail, please for the love of god you better rock that drivers shit instead of ramming that telephone poll and they run off. AND GET UNDERINSURED/UNINSURED coverage on your policy NOW. You will need it just in case that one ***got has no insurance or not enough for your injuries.
Like I said, please inform all of us with more facts and tips to help your fellow member from getting the shaft. I hope I have helped yall. Please subscribe and keep this in a safe place in your profile so that you will be able to come back to it.
Step 1: If you have a pretty hard impact, GO TO THE HOSPITAL. This is only if you are NOT at fault. It dont matter whether its in the ambulance or somebody takes you, GO GET CHECKED OUT! I did have symptoms of a back ache until I got into the ambulance. I was later diagnosed with whip lash. If you dont go to the hospital then you will have complications afterwards more than likely IF your impact was pretty rough. This kind of rough to be an example:
I did that at 45mph which was the speed limit. A lady pulled out in front of me. You wont feel the pain right away most instances because of the adrenaline rush.
Step 2: Know a reputable towing company! Small companys are better because like down here, they are more caring about your stuff than they are about making money. My mom knew a good towing company and had the highway patrol call a small company in a town over. They have been great with giving me advice and looking after my stuff. Though all companies arent responsible for your belongings so either YOU go get them out or have somebody do it for you. This includes your radio and anything of value. Leave your trash in the car of course. This includes expensive rims, jdm parts, and just anything of value.
Step 3: File the proper accident report with your insurance company. In SC its called an FR-10 and you have to file it with your insurance company within 15 days. Im not sure how your state does it so you are on your own with that.
Step 4: File a claim with the insurance company of the policy holder of the person at fault. You will give them some information and an adjuster will call you after the claim is made. He is going to record you for a statement. Make sure you have a damn good story and dont fuck up. Any slight fuck up in the statement you make determines if you get paid or not. So make sure you have a correct statement.
Step 4: CALL THE LAWYER! Whether or not you think it is fit, call a lawyer and make sure you call a good one. The adjuster is going to be all nice to your face and make you feel like you dont need one. WRONG. Call a good reputable lawyer in your area and not one of those big time ones that have a commercial every 5 minutes on the tv. I made that mistake already. They are taking 33% of the claim which is normal for most firms. I have heard as low as 10%. BUT you get what you pay for just remember that. Whether you are hurt or not, more than likely you are going to end up at the chiropractor.
Step 5: Im sure the adjuster has called you by now. And the first thing he is going to do is try and tow the car to another lot. DONT DO IT UNLESS YOU HATE YOUR CAR AND LOVE BEING SCREWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY! They will attempt to sabotage your vehicle or find a way to not have to pay. They will try to say that you werent able to stop or your brake lights arent working or something like that. Your local neighborhood towing company will look after you if they care. This is why I say get somebody that you know or find somebody with great reviews. In my case, I did NOT let the adjuster touch my car unless it was being appraised at the lot and a check is put in my hand. I can PROMISE parts will go missing and you wont ever see them again. And better yet, you wont be reimbursed for the damages/missing items.
Step 6: Go to your therapy if you need it. Dont miss an appointment unless you are on the death bed. AND GET YOUR FREE RENTAL CAR! AND HAVE FUN WITH IT but I do not condone the acts of jumping rail road tracks, mudding, or anything of that nature. Just make sure it comes back with a full tank of gas.
Step 7: Keep in contact with your lawyer and ASK ALOT OF QUESTIONS. Come up with a list and ask. It doesnt hurt to pick up that phone and call him/her. Ask your friends, parents, or the old and wise. GET ADVISE.
Step 8: Hurry up and wait. Insurance companies are SLOW. And I mean SLOW. They dont care about you, your car, or your condition. It can be a month before you see money. This is why I say call the damn lawyer.
Step 9: Receive currency. I am 100% positive you will get screwed out of your settlement for your car. They are old and they go by the local market value which is MADE UP. NightWolf only got $1100 for his wagon when it was wrecked. I only got $1800 for my wagon when it was wrecked (nov '07). Be prepared! Keep receipts of all repairs and body work. This MIGHT help you get a little more but not likely.
Step 10: You are on your own as of now. Find another car, or fix the one you have. More than likely you will be handed a salvage title. Try to avoid this as much as you can. It will prevent getting screwed again later on down the road.
Step 11: STAY SMART! Stay ahead of the game next go round and try to avoid accidents at all costs even if they are not going to be your fault and you THINK you will get some money. And if you have to choose between hitting the person at fault or a guard rail, please for the love of god you better rock that drivers shit instead of ramming that telephone poll and they run off. AND GET UNDERINSURED/UNINSURED coverage on your policy NOW. You will need it just in case that one ***got has no insurance or not enough for your injuries.
Like I said, please inform all of us with more facts and tips to help your fellow member from getting the shaft. I hope I have helped yall. Please subscribe and keep this in a safe place in your profile so that you will be able to come back to it.
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