If you’re injured in a South Dakota auto accident caused by someone else, you may file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company for your damages: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Even though you’re not at fault, you should also inform your own insurer of the accident.
Reasons to Notify Your Insurance Company
It’s important to notify your insurer of your accident for a number of reasons:
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Collision coverage.
If the at-fault driver’s insurer disputes your claim, or negotiations for compensation move slowly, your own collision coverage might pay for repairs to your vehicle while you wait for your settlement.
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Towing and storage charges.
If your car is towed to a repair facility or municipal lot after the wreck, your insurance could cover towing or storage charges that result.
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Medical expenses.
Your own personal injury protection (PIP) might cover some or all of your mounting medical expenses while you recover from your injuries and wait for the settlement process or trial to conclude.
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UM and UIM coverage.
If the driver who caused your accident has no insurance or has coverage limits too low to pay your damages, your own uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage could cover some or all of your damages.
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Defense.
If the at-fault driver blames the wreck on you and files a claim for damages, your insurer can provide your defense against such a claim.
In order to take advantage of the help your insurance company can offer, you must inform the company of your accident in a very timely manner. It’s best to do so as soon as possible after your wreck.
Don’t Discuss Fault
In most cases, you can report your accident to your insurer by phone, online, or with a phone app. Regardless of how you make your report, you should give only basic, minimal information: the date, time, and place of the accident, along with contact information for all parties involved. Then you should consult an attorney. Don’t give a recorded statement to your insurer or the at-fault driver’s insurer. Don’t discuss the details of the crash or admit any fault, complete or partial. Simply provide your lawyer’s name and contact information to both insurers.
An experienced car accident attorney will know how to deal with both insurance companies and seek fair compensation while you focus on recovery. Please contact us online, start a chat, or call us at 605-644-5003 to schedule a free consultation. You pay no attorney fees until we win your case.