What To Do When You're at Fault in an Auto Accident

If you were in an auto accident and think you may be at fault, your insurance company has certain duties to you in connection with any claims brought against you. You also may have coverage available under your auto insurance policy for your own injuries.

If You Were at Fault in a Car Crash, Follow These Steps:

1. Report the Accident: You need to be honest with your insurance company about the circumstances of the auto accident. Call them as soon as possible and give them the straight story as you best remember it.
   


2. Read Your Policy: Do you have the right to hire your own lawyer? What kind of legal expenses are you covered for? Will your medical bills be covered?
   


3. Talk to an Attorney: The insurance company will want to hire an attorney for you, but that attorney may be more loyal to the insurance company's interests than to yours.  Car insurance companies have a legal obligation to consider your interests as being equal to their own when handling claims brought against you by other drivers. But there may be a conflict of interest where the insurance company wants to pay the injured party less for a claim rather than more. That could mean you pay the difference out of pocket. An experienced lawyer like Lisa M. Lilly may be able to limit your personal liability or prevent it altogether.
   
   
4. Determine Whether Your Bills are Covered: You may have coverage you don't even know about.  Many policies include coverage for your medical bills or your passengers’ medical bills regardless who caused the accident. This can be especially important if you or your passengers lack health insurance or any other means to pay for medical care. An experienced attorney can help you determine if you are entitled to coverage and how much.

Protecting your assets if a claim is made against you and recovering a fair amount from your insurance company may require the assistance of a skilled, professional and experienced attorney. To schedule a free consultation at Lisa M. Lilly LLC, call 866-389-3051 or contact the firm online today.