Someone Hit My Car: Whose Insurance Do I Call?

There’s a common myth that you don’t need to call your insurance company if you’re not at fault for a car accident. Regardless of who’s at fault, you should always notify your insurance company to report a car accident that involves bodily injury or property damage.

There are a few reasons to inform your insurance company. First, the insurance may require a notification as outlined in the auto insurance policy. Second, you may need some of your own available coverage to help you with your damages, even if the accident wasn’t your fault.

As an injured accident victim, seeking compensation for all your losses can be more complicated than you expect. Consider speaking to a trusted St. Louis car accident claim attorney before contacting your insurance provider. They can handle all notifications and communications for you. 

Essential Things to Do After Someone Hits Your Car

Here are a few things to remember after someone hits your car:

• Take a clear photo of the damage
• Do not leave the scene of the accident
• Exchange contact information with the other driver
• Get in touch with the local authorities and file a police report
• Seek immediate medical attention to diagnose your injuries
• Have a car accident attorney notify your insurance company

For more details on handling accidents, including hit-and-run scenarios, make sure to review trusted resources to fully protect your rights and claim.

What Information Should You Provide to an Insurer?

When contacting an insurance company, you or your lawyer should be prepared to provide the following information:

• Name and contact information of all parties involved in the accident
• Insurance information of the other driver, including the name of the insurance provider and the policy number
• Date, location, and time of the accident
• Contact details of the law enforcement agency that arrived at the scene of the accident

Ensure the information you provide to the insurance provider is clear and concise. Any discrepancy in the information you provide could work against your car accident claim.

What Might Your Insurance Pay If Someone Hit Your Car

Depending on your insurance coverage, your auto insurance provider might have to cover some losses up to your insurance limit. Here is some typical coverage your auto policy might provide:

• Medical Payment Coverage: This covers medical expenses for you, your family, and passengers who sustained injuries in the car accident.
• Uninsured motorist Coverage: If the at-fault driver has insufficient coverage or doesn’t have insurance, the uninsured motorist coverage pays for the damages.
• Collision Coverage: It covers the damages sustained by your vehicles when two cars collide or rollover, whether or not you were at fault.
• Comprehensive Coverage: It pays for the damages sustained by your vehicle for causes other than collision, including floods, storms, fire, or vandalism.

Why a Car Accident Attorney Should Handle Insurance Communications

Hiring a car accident attorney to handle insurance communications can significantly benefit you in several ways:

The Insurance Company Will Take You Seriously

When you retain a lawyer, it sends a message to the insurance company that you mean business about your claim. This often results in the insurance company taking your case more seriously and being more willing to offer a fair settlement. A lawyer’s involvement can also streamline the process and help secure a more favorable outcome in many cases, as insurers typically prefer to avoid lengthy legal battles.

Experience in Navigating Insurance Claims

Car accident attorneys have experience and understanding of legal and insurance processes. This is very important because insurance policies and claims can be challenging, especially if they involve severe injuries, several liable parties, or other complicated issues.

Your attorney can interpret policy language, understand coverage limits and identify potential issues that might affect your claim. Our knowledge ensures that all communications with the insurance company are handled accurately without the risk of misunderstandings that could jeopardize your claim.

Protection of Your Rights and Interests

Insurance companies often prioritize their financial interests over providing fair compensation to claimants. Our car accident attorneys advocate for your rights and ensure the insurer does not take advantage of you.

A common practice with lawyers from Burger Law is trying to spot tactics that insurers may use to minimize payouts. Our attorneys will counter these tactics to safeguard your interests and keep moving toward a fair settlement.

Accurate Valuation of Your Claim

Determining the true value of your claim involves more than just adding up medical bills and repair costs. Our car accident attorneys know how to evaluate the full extent of your damages, including future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

If need be, we will work with medical professionals, economists and other experts to accurately assess the impact of the accident on your life. This broad valuation ensures that you seek adequate compensation for your losses.

Stress Reduction and Peace of Mind

It is very stressful to deal with insurance companies while rebuilding your life and undergoing medical treatment after a car accident. However, if you hire a car accident attorney from Burger Law, we’ll manage the interactions with the insurers as you focus on your recovery.

For instance, an attorney will file the necessary paperwork, make all phone calls, and handle negotiations. This gives you peace of mind and lets you concentrate on getting your life back on track.

Avoiding Costly Mistakes

Navigating the claims process without professional assistance can lead to mistakes that could cost your compensation. Usually, accidents can leave victims confused, unsure of what to do or say. Insurance companies often contact victims shortly after accidents, looking for inconsistencies in their statements to use them to deny claims.

Some of the mistakes to watch out for include:

• Accepting quick settlement offers, which are usually inadequate
  Underestimating injuries, especially injuries like concussions or whiplash
  Admitting fault or making statements that imply you are partially to blame

By retaining a lawyer, you can be assured that the necessary communication with the insurer will be handled professionally to safeguard your right to claim.

“I’ve dedicated my entire life to helping our clients receive full compensation for their injuries.”

Schedule a free case evaluation here.

Gary Burger

Litigation attorney

Get in Touch With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Attorney to Discuss Your Options

If you’ve sustained an injury in a car accident after being hit by someone else, you deserve compensation for injury-related losses. An experienced car accident attorney can help you prove fault and the extent of your injuries. Burger Law has obtained compensation for over 150,000 accident cases, giving us an edge to represent you.

Contact us online or call us at (314) 500-HURT for a free case evaluation.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

click here more Info