I Was Rear-Ended in Connecticut. What Should I Do?

You just got rear-ended and now you are standing on the side of the road, fighting with the other driver and trying to decide who’s at fault. In most cases, when a car gets rear-ended, the driver behind the victim is at fault.

According to a report by the National Highway Safety Administration, most rear-end collisions occur when drivers get complacent and fail to notice the gap between them and the person driving in front. Only 6% of rear-end collisions occur in fatal crashes, and 28% of automobile accidents account for this type of collision. In fact, this is the most common type of car accident that occurs in the US.

 

 

You are probably wondering what type of insurance you need when comes to automobile accidents. Well, you have two choices: Collision Coverage or Auto Insurance.

Here’s a rundown of the both these insurance policies:

 

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage is a type of insurance policy that covers car damages when you are involved in an accident. The coverage is applicable in case of damages that arise due to:

• Collision with another car
• Collision with a tree or fence
• Single-car accident, which involves falling over or rolling

 

Auto Insurance

Auto insurance is a type of coverage that allows you to not just get your vehicle repaired but also seek medical attention without paying a dime out of your pocket. You pay premiums to keep the policy running, and when get into an automobile accident; the insurance company takes care of the expenses. Auto insurance provides the following benefits:

• Property Damage: Car theft and damage
• Liability: In case the accident is your fault, it will cover property damage as well as pay for the victim’s medical bills
• Medical: Medical bills that will cover your injuries and also pay for rehabilitation, funeral expenses, and in some cases, lost wages

 

Now that you are familiar with both types of insurance policies, let’s have a look what you should do when you get rear-ended:

 

Check for Injuries

Are you injured? Was the person driving with you injured? If you both are in bad shape, then the best thing to do would be to wait for the ambulance to arrive. The adrenaline rush can make you feel like as if everything is alright, but the pain will hit you hard after a few hours. Once you have received proper medical attention, proceed to the next step.

 

Contact the Police

If the accident wasn’t that bad and you feel you can move freely and with all your senses, then the first thing you need to do is call the police. No matter how small the damage to your car is, the intervention of a police officer will make sure that communication between you and the other driver goes peacefully.

 

Take Pictures

While the police officers are on their way, start taking pictures of the accident site. Take pictures of your car and the other car, note down the license plate number, and talk to the other driver. It’s possible that the other driver might try to rope you into settlement granted that you don’t call the police or your insurance agent. This is a huge mistake because the driver might hand you a couple of hundred dollars and call it a day. Any future problems that you might encounter regarding your car or your health will be left unattended and you will end up paying out of your pocket.

If the driver tries to run, then do not chase after him. Take witness accounts and wait for the police to arrive. In most cases, if the driver runs then the other party is found guilty. In such a scenario, you won’t any trouble claiming your auto insurance.

 

 

Call Your Insurance Agent

Once you have dealt with the driver and the police, call you insurance agent. Tell him everything about the accident and ask him how and when you can file for a claim. The faster you get the money, the faster you can get things into motion: such as get a thorough medical checkup and the car repaired.

 

Do Not Admit That You Are At Fault

It’s in our human nature to say, “I am sorry” immediately after an accident. Though this is good etiquette but in this case, an apology will backfire on you. You might be saying the apology out of politeness but the other driver might twist the words and say that you accepted your fault. Let the insurance company and the police do their job. The only thing you need to do, which will prove vital for your case is take pictures.

 

For a full comprehensive list of steps to take immediately after an accident check out our: What You Should Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident in Connecticut

 

Follow these steps and if you are in the right, you will have no trouble in making a claim and receiving the insurance money for you problems. Often people think to themselves:

 

Will My Insurance Premium Rise If I Am In An Accident?

Let’s assume that you were in a severe accident. You car got dented pretty badly and you were bruised from head to toe. You can your insurance agent and tell him to get the paper work in order because you will be making a claim in a few days. After the initial investigation, it is revealed that the accident was your fault. In such a scenario, you can expect your insurance premium to rise. In some cases, even when you are not at fault, your insurance premium might rise. However, if you make a non-fault claim, then you won’t be affected much. These terms should be discussed at the time when the insurance policy is being drafted.

 

So there you go — these are the steps that you need to take when you get rear-ended. In the hands of a competent insurance agent, you will be able to speed up your claim process and get the money within a week. If you are looking for a qualified insurance agent who holds years of experience in this field, then visit Pawson. We provide different types of car insurance policies with additional coverage as well. To know more about their policies, contact them at 203-481-8898.