In the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, there is a good chance you will have to deal with State Farm. If you are insured by the company, you will need to file a claim for damages.
If the crash was the fault of another driver, they might also be covered through State Farm. The moments after a car accident are stressful. For this reason, it is critical to take the appropriate steps to ensure you receive a financial recovery. After a car crash, you should:
Prioritize Safety
The safety of yourself and the others involved should be your immediate priority. Check yourself and others for possible injuries.
If you can, move the crashed vehicles out of the roadway. This will allow other traffic to pass safely and prevent the possibility of additional collisions.
Contact the Authorities
If any passengers or drivers require medical attention, call an ambulance. Also, call a 911 operator to request medical assistance and the presence of a law enforcement officer.
Obtaining a copy of the police accident report for your collision is important. This document will contain important information and help you to file a successful claim with State Farm.
Remain at the scene of the accident until the authorities arrive. In many locations, it is a crime to leave the scene without contacting law enforcement.
Gather Evidence
If you are not severely injured, make sure to collect as much evidence as possible in the moments after an accident. As time goes on, it will become more challenging to secure the important information you will need for your claim.
For instance, you should try to collect the following information related to your motor vehicle collision:
- Drivers’ and passengers’ names and contact information
- Relevant insurance information
- Photos and videos of the resulting injuries
- Photos and videos of the vehicular damage
- Names and contact information from eyewitnesses
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Weather conditions at the time of the crash
- Name and badge number of the reporting officer
When collecting information, remain polite and keep your conversation to a minimum. Never admit fault for the accident without speaking to a skilled legal professional at the firm of Morgan and Morgan.
Even if you believe you are responsible for the collision, you may be wrong. It is always better to allow a car crash attorney to review the facts of your case first.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
It is also important to contact your car insurance provider in the aftermath of a crash. If you are insured through State Farm, inform them of the accident.
However, you should not allow them to secure a written or recorded statement from you before you speak with an attorney. Simply provide a clear description of the facts of the accident and the resulting damage.
If the company refuses to provide you with the coverage that you deserve, you may find yourself wondering, “where do I go to sue State Farm?” Providing the insurance company with too much information without the legal guidance of a tort attorney may result in a denied or diminished settlement. Do not let this happen to you.
Speak With an Insurance Claims Lawyer
It is vital to secure the services of a skilled tort attorney when you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident. If State Farm is uncooperative and refuses to provide you with the money they owe, a legal professional can help.
The primary goal of private insurance providers, like State Farm, is to increase their profits and decrease their losses. This means that they are financially incentivized to pay the least amount possible on every claim that is filed.
Your State Farm adjuster may attempt to devalue or dismiss certain types of losses that you have experienced. In doing so, they will be required to provide you with less compensation for your claim.
Fortunately, accident victims do not have to take on large insurance companies alone. The knowledgeable legal team at the firm of Morgan and Morgan has years of experience fighting for the money that claimants are due.