Modern technology gives you several easy and ethical tools to properly document your accident. And so you can use smartphones, dash cams, and other gadgets responsibly to ensure you get the fair insurance settlement you deserve.
Follow this dad-friendly guide to leverage tech the right way when managing a car insurance claim.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
Capture:
- Wide shots showing all vehicles and the surrounding area
- Close-ups of the damage to each car
- Skid marks or debris on the road
- Street signs and landmarks showing the location
Take photos from multiple angles. Check that images are in focus before leaving the scene. Tip: Turn on your camera’s photo grid to ensure shots are level.
You should also exchange insurance details with the other driver.
Use Your Dash Cam Footage
Dash cams film road events through your windshield. If you have one installed, it likely captured footage right up to the accident impact.
- Carefully review the video to find the lead-up and collision.
- Save a copy of the relevant clip to share with insurance adjusters.
Stick to only sharing footage directly related to the incident. Respect others’ privacy by not distributing unnecessary videos widely online.
Download Driving Route Apps
Apps like Waze and Google Maps track your driving route via GPS. Open the app once home after the accident to save the trip data.
You can use the timeline and map details to show exactly where you were driving before the crash occurred. This provides solid proof for insurance and police reports.
Document Injuries Responsibly
If anyone was injured in the collision, seek medical care right away. Ask your doctor to fully document all accident-related health issues in your medical records. Follow prescribed treatment plans to show insurers you are responsibly managing conditions tied to the incident.
Do not exaggerate your injuries or symptoms. Be truthful about medical problems that resulted specifically from the car accident.
Record Conversations
If the at-fault driver contacts you to discuss the accident after the fact, use your phone to record the exchange. In many states, you can legally capture conversations you are part of without notifying the other party.
Save recordings mentioning who caused the crash or admitting fault. However, check your state laws first and don’t share conversations online or with others, as this violates privacy.
Collect Eyewitness Statements
If anyone saw the collision occur, ask them to write down a brief statement recounting what they witnessed. Have them include their full name and contact details so insurers can reach out with follow-up questions.
Don’t pressure witnesses to stretch the truth. Simply ask them to accurately state what they saw to the best of their knowledge. Fabricating witness accounts is unethical and illegal.
Consult a Recommended Attorney
Speaking with an attorney experienced in car insurance claims ensures you understand your rights and responsibilities. They can also manage communication with insurers while you focus on recovery.
Ask family, friends or online groups for recommendations to find a reputable lawyer. And then schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim’s specifics before formally hiring them.
Keep Detailed Records
Create a system to track every piece of evidence, medical bill, insurer correspondence and other important claim documents. This provides a clear paper trail proving costs and losses tied to the accident.
A simple three-ring binder with dividers makes organized file-keeping easy. You can also scan papers to store digitally in the cloud. Just be sure to carefully label all files relating to your claim.
Be Truthful with Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters investigate claims to establish who holds liability and determine appropriate payouts. Know that adjusters likely communicate with all parties involved and compare statements to flag dishonesty.
Answer adjuster questions fully and honestly. Avoid withholding or fabricating any details about how the accident occurred. This is because if lies are uncovered during their investigation, it will severely hurt your claim’s credibility.
Seek Payment for All Eligible Expenses
In addition to car repairs, insurance policies often cover short-term disability, loss of wages, medical bills, car rental fees and other costs stemming from an accident.
Thoroughly read your policy to understand what accident-related losses it covers. Track all eligible new expenses tied to the collision. And then submit forms and evidence on time showing the costs you honestly accrued.
Practice Patience Throughout the Process
Insurance claims involve many phases. First reports are filed, then liability is decided through investigation, and finally, appropriate payments are determined. This entire process often takes weeks or months depending on severity.
Expect to answer follow-up questions and furnish additional documentation along the way. Check in politely via phone or email if waiting on urgent compensation. Otherwise, simply cooperate fully and patiently to help progress your claim.
Avoid Social Media Posts About the Incident
It can be tempting to vent about a car accident or ongoing insurance claim on social platforms. But posts discussing an active case can actually harm your efforts to recoup costs.
Insurers may review public profiles for evidence that conflicts with a claim. Comments admitting some fault or exaggerating collision details could severely undermine your credibility. Keep quiet on social media until the claim fully wraps up.
Use Security Tools Ethically
You may go online in search of advice on what to do after a car accident that wasn’t your fault. As a result, you may discover high-tech tips online for allegedly guaranteeing bigger insurance payouts. Things like hacking a crash data recorder, staging phantom passengers or disabling airbag sensors during an accident.
Not only are tools like these unethical and dangerous, they are very illegal. Committing insurance fraud through falsifying crash details can lead to massive fines or years behind bars. Protect your family and future by always being truthful.
Focus on Fair Compensation
The insurance claims process provides necessary financial resources to help people recover after the hardship of a collision. You have the right to pursue reasonable reimbursement for accident-related losses that are covered under your policy.
However, concentrate on securing fair compensation for injuries and losses that is aligned with actual damages sustained. Inflating losses or costs to try securing an excessive payout is dishonest and qualifies as attempted fraud. Keep your integrity intact by seeking appropriate claim reimbursements.
Consider Adding Accident Forgiveness
If it turns out you were at-fault for the collision, your insurance rates will likely rise at renewal time through surcharges. This financially punishes you again after already going through an accident.
Many policies offer accident forgiveness to protect your driving record and prevent premium hikes after a crash. If available, add this rider to reduce long-term costs. Shopping around for cheaper coverage once your claim wraps up may also offset rate increases.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with car insurance claims can certainly feel complicated for busy dads managing other priorities. However, using today’s technology tools correctly will give you an ethical advantage to effectively manage your important claim.
Follow the responsible tips outlined to take control of the situation and obtain the maximum fair recovery amount you qualify for based on actual losses sustained in the accident. Being organized and truthful throughout the process will help ensure your claim stays on track through fair resolution. And by leveraging tech appropriately, you can minimize headaches handling the insurance paperwork portion of the incident.
Stay patient, diligent and honest to ethically demonstrate costs that need reimbursing so you can move forward once this difficult chapter closes.