Should I Call My Insurance Company After an Accident?

A car accident can involve personal injury, vehicle damage, and other indirect losses such as lost wages. In the wake of a car crash, you may want to seek damages for your losses. A Hastings car accident lawyer can help you file and recover these damages.

Many auto insurance companies typically require you to report an accident. It is a good idea to report the crash as soon as possible. Here are some reasons you should notify the insurer about the crash.

Legal Requirement

In many cases, it is a legal requirement that you notify your insurer of an accident. Some insurers also define a specific time limit within which such a report must be made. Others simply require you to report the crash ‘within a reasonable time.’ You can look at the details of your auto insurance policy to understand the exact requirements.

As a general rule of thumb, it is best to report the crash within 72 hours of the accident. This makes sure that the insurer is aware of the development.

Seeking Damages

Nebraska is an at-fault personal injury state. This means that if you suffer damages due to another driver’s fault, you can seek damages from that driver’s insurer.

That being said, you may still need to seek certain types of damages from your own insurer. This is particularly the case if you carry collision coverage or personal injury protection coverage.

Your insurer is likely to accept your claim only if you reported the crash right after it happened. If you seek damages without reporting the crash in a timely way, the insurer may raise objections.

Paying Damages

It is possible that an accident occurred through your own fault. Or a crash may be a result of fault on the part of multiple drivers, including you. When this is the case, Nebraska’s comparative negligence rule is involved. Under this rule, you can recover damages only if your percentage of fault is less than the other driver.

In case you are more than 50% at fault, you must compensate the other driver. You will then have to rely on your auto insurer to make good the damages of the victim. Again, your insurer is likely to do so only if it has been notified about the crash in time. Delays in reporting can lead to delays in processing the claim, complicating the process.

Talk to a Hastings Car Accident Attorney Now

If you have suffered a car crash in Hastings, Nebraska, it is important to reach out to a car accident lawyer. Insurance companies do not always readily accept crash claims. This is true even when you file for damages with your own insurer.

Here at Conway, Pauley & Johnson P.C., our lawyers help you negotiate a fair and successful settlement with the insurer. Legal representation helps you resolve claims arising out of your accident without unnecessary delays. The insurer is also less likely to raise unfair objections when you have a lawyer representing you.

Call us today at 402-462-5187 to schedule a free consultation or fill out the form to request a review.