Cincinnati Car Accident Insurance Claims - Do's and Don'ts Straight From a Knowledgeable Cincinnati

There's no question about it - you will have to work with insurance companies, both yours and that of the other party, if you're in Cincinnati and have had a car, truck or motorcycle accident. Filing an insurance claim and handling insurance adjusters can be a tough job. Here are some important do's and don'ts to remember regarding insurance claims.

Do's

* Do speak with your insurance agent as soon as you are able following the accident or injury. If you don't have some very serious injuries to take care of, your insurance agent is the first call you should make in case of an accident or injury.
* Do be sure you are familiar with your insurance policy. This will help you in determining what your policy covers so as to make the necessary claims.
* Do document as much information as possible about the accident. Be sure to photograph any injuries suffered in the accident as well as any damage to the vehicles. Also make an effort to write down the names and numbers of any witnesses to the accident because they may later be able to help verify your insurance claim.
* Do write down the insurance information of any other person or vehicle involved in the accident.
* Do record any dealings or conversations with the insurance officers, agents, and any other people involved in the claims process.
* Do keep all your receipts for all expenses related to the insurance claim such as medical bills for the injury sustained in the accident, repair bills for the damaged vehicle, etc..
* Do tell the truth when speaking with insurance investigators. You don't want your claim to be held up because they have to investigate whether or not your claim is fraudulent.
* Do check if you have more than one insurance policy that provides coverage for the particular accident or injury. Many people have multiple insurance policies under which they can file legitimate insurance claims. So, do make an effort to review all your insurance policies with your Cincinnati car accident lawyer.

Don'ts

* Don't state anything was your fault, don't give any opinion and only stick to the facts. A number of circumstances determine where fault lies in an accident. It is the responsibility of the insurance investigators to use the facts they gather to determine who was at fault in the accident.
* Don't hand over any written documents to your insurance agent or that of another party if you are not confident of what's in your policy or claim.
* Don't let any time limits to file your insurance claim expire. All insurance companies have a requirement that you to file an insurance claim within specified periods of time after the accident or injury. Be sure you pay attention to this time period so you can get your claim filed on time.
* Don't take all the information that your insurance agent tells you as the last word, especially regarding the value of your claim or a settlement. Insurance companies always try to give you estimates of losses that are usually less than your actual losses. Be sure you do your homework and find out exactly what the value of your losses is.
* Don't sign any document that is a waiver or release of any kind. If you don't know what you are being asked to sign, consult with a car accident lawyer in Cincinnati for help.
* Don't accept payment that is full and final unless you are positive that it is a fair amount.