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How do you settle a car accident claim without an attorney?
How do you negotiate a claim after a car accident? The other driver was clearly at fault. To save some money, I would like to settle this claim without a lawyer.
Phoebe Mah · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“While you may be able to settle a car insurance claim without an attorney, it’s not always advisable—especially if you’re attempting to negotiate a better settlement.
After you file a claim with your insurance company, they will contact the other driver’s insurance and make sure you are paid for any losses up to their policy limits. If your policy had medical or PIP coverage, your medical bills are paid from your policy first, then from the bodily injury coverage from the other driver’s policy.
After that, if you still have outstanding bills due to the accident, this is when you may want to contact a lawyer. But if you choose to negotiate with the insurance company on your own, you’ll need to:
- Gather pictures of the property damage, the scene of the accident, and your injuries.
- Get a copy of a police report.
- Seek medical treatment for your injuries as soon as possible.
- Use anypersonal injury protection insurance(PIP) to cover initial bills prior to using your health insurance. Keep and collect all copies of any records and bills.
- Refrain from recording a statement for the other driver’s insurance company.
- Do not write or post on social media about your accident. This information can be used to minimize your injuries and settlement.
Note that the statute of limitations for personal injury varies by state, so it is crucial you understand the time limits for your claim.
The next step is to write a demand letter, which documents details of the accident, highlights who was at fault, and outlines current or future income losses and/or necessary medical care due to accident-induced injuries.
This will be a very important document used in settlement negotiations. So it is important that it’s sent after you have fully assessed how your injuries have impacted your life and arrived at a reasonable dollar amount for your injury claim.
We know this must be a stressful time! But if you can afford it, a lawyer will likely make it easier on you.
Your car insurance company should be there for you, too. But if you feel their customer service is lacking, considering shopping around for a better company. The
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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