Category: Car accident claims

Automobile accident

Automobile Accident: Do You Know What to Do Afterward?

Posted by Jeffrey Bolender on with 0 Comment

You and your family probably spend a lot of time in the car, usually without the worry of an automobile accident; in fact, you may feel like you live there more than your own home due to what could be a lengthy commute every day, further travel for business trips, typical errands, and drop-offs and pickups for kids. It is easy to let your guard down and almost drive on auto pilot sometimes, but with traffic incidents continuing to rise in the US, extreme diligence and defensive driving are more important than ever. This goes for anyone on the road too, whether you are in a car, driving a motorcycle, riding a bike, or walking.

The reality is that in nearly any journey you will pass distracted drivers who can’t tear themselves away from their cell phones, those who are speeding, ignoring traffic rules, or even driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Their negligence may put you at risk for a car accident at any time, meaning that you should be prepared far ahead of time to know what to do afterward. Here are five of the most important tips:

  1. Stop the car and take just a few moments to catch your breath and collect yourself after the trauma of an accident. The adrenaline flow afterward will be significant, and it is important to try and get your bearings, so you can then establish whether you or anyone else in the car are injured, as well as checking on the other parties involved.
  2. Call the police immediately and file an accident report, as well as making sure medical help is on the way in the case of injuries. Make sure to note the police officer’s name and badge number and ask for a way to get in touch with them afterward.
  3. Trade all pertinent insurance information and contact information with the other motorist(s).
  4. Take pictures. If you can snap photos of damage to both cars, along with the license plate of the other vehicle. It may also be helpful to have any photos of the entire traffic area, including where the accident occurred, traffic signs, crosswalks, and stoplights.
  5. Ask any possible witnesses for contact information also, as this may be the only time you ever see them again and they could be vital to your case.

If you need help reviewing your insurance policy, or if you suspect your insurance company may be denying your claim in bad faith, contact the attorneys at the Bolender Law Firm.  If a dispute over a claim cannot be easily resolved through a call or written communication, our attorneys will advocate on behalf of policyholders through litigation, arbitration, or non-binding mediation. Our attorneys are experienced in representing clients in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate level. Call us at 310-320-0725 now or submit an easy consultation request online. We are here to help!

comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive Insurance and Collision: Know the Details

Posted by Jeffrey Bolender on with 0 Comment

Car insurance (comprehensive insurance, for example) is usually a necessity, and one of the typical financial responsibilities most of us take on as soon as we purchase our first car. Not only can it be expensive in some cases, it can also be hard to understand as you wade through trying to figure out which details you need in a sea of different coverages, deductibles, limits, and so much more. While not every state asks you to carry insurance by law, California does require you to have the following:

  • Bodily injury liability
  • Property damage liability
  • Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage

And while both collision and comprehensive insurance are optional, most of us have at least one or both; in fact, if you have financed a car they may require that you carry ‘comp and collision’ until the balance of the vehicle loan has been paid off.

No matter what types of insurance you are purchasing, it may be tempting to get the bare minimum with the lowest premiums—and as we all know, even that can be high! Collision insurance is not hard to understand, just based on the term itself. If you collide with someone or something—in an accident—your collision coverage (assuming your policy is in force and there are no other extenuating circumstances) will kick in whether you hit another car, an inanimate object, or even a pothole. Deductibles vary. You may not have one at all, but of course that raises the rate of your premium. If you have a $500 deductible in the case of a collision, you would have to pay that before the insurance kicked in to have your car fixed.

Comprehensive insurance covers collisions with different types of obstacles such as animals or falling objects. Along with that, you also have coverage for theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and more. There are limits as to how much it will cover, and again, you may or may not have a deductible—depending on how much you want to pay for a premium.

If you aren’t sure about what types of coverage are best for you, have an in-depth discussion with your insurance agent and consider how much your car is worth, how much time you really spend on the road, and what your budget can realistically afford, whether you pay your insurance by the year, quarter, or month.

Are you concerned about a recent accident, or are you trying to understand your insurance policy? If a dispute over a claim cannot be easily resolved through a call or written communication, the Bolender Law Firm will advocate on behalf of policyholders through litigation, arbitration, or non-binding mediation. Our attorneys are experienced in representing clients in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate level. Call us at 310-320-0725 now or submit an easy consultation request online. We are here to help!

auto accident claims

Auto Accident Claims: The Most Common Reasons They Are Denied

Posted by Jeffrey Bolender on with 0 Comment

Traffic incidents continue to rise today, despite added attention to new safety devices from car manufacturers and a plethora of public safety information being disseminated around the US. More people are on the roads—and far too many of them are distracted while driving, leading to the number one cause for auto accidents. But whether you end up in a fender bender due to someone texting behind the wheel, or a serious accident after a collision with a drunk or reckless driver, dealing with the insurance company can be more than a headache. It may be a total nightmare—and one that could drag out for a long time without the help of a skilled insurance attorney.

If you sustained injuries in an accident, having to fight with the insurance company can be even more stressful as you are trying to heal. You may also be unable to work, worried about finances, and very concerned about how to get your car repaired (and perhaps medical bills too).

Claims are usually denied by the insurance company for a handful of common reasons, to include:

  • No report was made – this is why you should always file a police report, unless you were involved in a fender bender so miniscule that it would obviously be a complete waste of time to notify anyone. If there is the slightest bit of damage or injury to anyone, the police should be called—along with an ambulance if necessary. If you were hit due to the negligence of another driver, getting information such as the other party’s name, number, work address, work phone, and insurance data is critical, along with the police report. Were there witnesses? If so, ask for their contact information immediately too as that is likely the only time you will see them, and they could be critical to your case as well.
  • You did not report injuries or go to the hospital right away – if you suspect any injury at all, let those at the scene of the accident know, and get treated as soon as possible. Without any initial reports regarding injury, insurance companies are likely to pounce on the lack of evidence and deny the claim.
  • The insurance company considers you at fault for the accident. This could be due to suspicion of drunk driving, speeding, or other reckless behavior.
  • You did not pay your premium on time (even for one month) or the policy had been canceled.
  • There was a misunderstanding regarding coverage, or the car insurance policy was not actually in force at the time of the automobile wreck.

If you have been injured in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver and suspect your insurance company may be denying your claim in bad faith, contact the attorneys at the Bolender Law Firm.  Call us at 310-320-0725 now or submit an easy consultation request online. We are here to help!