My Accident Solution
Drivers involved in accidents with injuries should call the local police or Sheriff’s department immediately. Try moving your car to the side of the road and out of the way of traffic. If a car cannot be moved, the driver and passengers should remain in the car with seat-belts fastened until help arrives. Turn on hazard lights and, if possible, set out cones, flares, or warning triangles. Please take detailed pictures of your car damage.
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Should I file an accident report and with whom?
After auto accidents, make sure to file a report at the scene with law enforcement. Drivers sometimes decide to handle the damages themselves, but this isn't always the best idea. While the other driver may agree to pay for the damage to your car on the day of the accident, he/she may see the repair bill and decide it's too high. At this point, your insurance company will have more difficulty piecing together the evidence if you file a claim. Also, you have no way of knowing whether another driver will change his mind and report the accident to his insurance company. He/she may even claim injuries that weren’t apparent at the scene of the accident. This means your insurance company may end up paying a hefty settlement or, worse yet, you could be dragged into a lawsuit.
*Our Auto experts can also guide you with solid advice on approaching ANY insurance company, deal with towing and can also help you get your car in for repair or assessment for a total loss scenario (the latter must be paid out with a far market value). Rental cars can also have restrictions that are not readily apparent to consumers. We can help with a free estimate of your vehicle's damage
Auto Accidents can be complex after the initial crash in some case, we are here to help you at My Accident Solution!
Auto Accident?
-What to do -
Emergency Kit
We recommend following guidelines developed by the Consumer Protection Association of America. They begin with a wise step to take before there's an accident: Keep a simple emergency kit in your glove compartment; it should include a pen and paper, a card with information about any medical conditions or allergies that may require special attention, and a disposable camera if you don't have a cellphone camera. It is also wise to keep a set of warning triangles, emergency flares, or cones in the trunk. Here are the after-accident guidelines:
1. Keep Safety First
Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move their cars to the side of the road and out of the way of traffic. If a car cannot be moved, the driver and passengers should remain in the car with seat-belts fastened until help arrives. Turn on hazard lights and, if possible, set out cones, flares, or warning triangles.
2. Exchange Information
Exchange name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number, and license plate number for the driver and owner of each vehicle. If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is, and take down the name and address of each individual. Make a written description of each car, including year, make, model, and color. Write down the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Be polite, but don't tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.
3. Photograph and Document the Accident
Photograph the damage to all the vehicles, and photograph the overall context of the accident. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if other drivers dispute your version of what happened.
4. File an accident report*
Although law enforcement officers in many locations may not respond to accidents unless there are injuries, drivers should file a state vehicle accident report, which is available at police stations and often on the Department of Motor Vehicles website. In Texas, it is available from the Department of Transportation at txdot.gov. A police report often helps insurance companies speed up the claims process.
5. Know what your insurance covers.
The whole insurance process will be easier if you know the details of your coverage. For example, don't wait until after an accident to find out that your policy doesn't automatically cover costs for towing or a replacement rental car. Generally, for only a dollar or two extra each month, you can add coverage for rental car reimbursement. Check your policy for specifics.
*Accident reports
After auto accidents, make sure to file a report with law enforcement. Drivers sometimes decide to handle the damages themselves, but this isn't always the best idea. While the other driver may agree to pay for the damage to your car on the day of the accident, he/she may see the repair bill and decide it's too high. At this point, your insurance company will have more difficulty piecing together the evidence if you file a claim. Also, you have no way of knowing whether another driver will change his mind and report the accident to his insurance company. He/she may even claim injuries that weren’t apparent at the scene of the accident. This means your insurance company may end up paying a hefty settlement or, worse yet, you could be dragged into a lawsuit.
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*My Accident Solution is a free service for Auto Accident Victims
What Can You Get Compensated For?
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Loss Of Use
The inability to use an automobile, premises or some equipment due to damage to a vehicle, premises or articles caused by the negligence or other wrongdoing of another. Loss of Use can be invoked after an auto accident and is an insurance claim that provides reimbursement for a rental vehicle. The time frame of LOU starts when the vehicle is undriveable due to damage at the time of accident. All policies should include LOU coverage, along with collision and comprehensive plans. This insurance is there to temporarily help you maintain a standard of living while your vehicle is being repaired. The insurance company owes you a per diem amount toward reasonable substitute transportation in the absence of your vehicle due to accident damage.
Diminished Accident Vehicle Value
After an accident, your car’s resale market value will decrease. Diminished value is the difference in your car’s market value before and after an accident. If you try to resell your vehicle after an accident and even though repairs have been carried out, Carfax and similar Federal reports will show that it has been involved in an accident, which will reduce your car’s resale market value. A diminished value claim can help recover the resale costs. There are three types of diminished value. Each type specific to the depreciation in the cost of your vehicle after an accident:
Inherent Diminished Value
This is the most common and accepted form of auto accident diminished value. Inherent diminished value occurs when a vehicle loses value because it now has a history of damage, which is indicated in the car’s Federal history reports. This type of diminished value assumes that the vehicle’s repairs were of optimal quality and represents the amount the vehicle’s worth will decrease given the accident history.
Immediate Diminished Value
This type of vehicle's diminished value represents the difference in resale value immediately after an accident and before the vehicle damage is repaired. This type of diminished value is rarely used when filing a diminished value claim.
Repair-Related Diminished Value
This refers to the loss of the vehicle’s value based on low-quality repairs performed after an accident.
How To File A Diminished Value Claim?
Confer with the at-fault insurance company and inquire where the Diminished Value web portal is located to file your claim.
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