Unless you’re in the rare situation where you were the only driver involved in your crash, the crash resolution will always involve another person. There may even be events where a single-car accident can include three or four drivers. Understanding how to resolve a Virginia crash while involving another driver is a little complex. You may need help or assistance throughout the process of the crash resolution.
It can be outstandingly challenging to know when or when not to interact with the other driver and how to respond when they impact your claim. It’s also important to get the right answers before you face these obstacles. If you’re involved in a wreck, contact our Virginia car accident attorney today.
Was the Other Driver Under the Influence?
According to information from the Virginia Department of motor vehicles, if you live within Virginia for the entire day of your life, you have a one in six chance of being in an alcohol-related crash at some point in that time period. It’s really difficult to understand that you have a one six chance of being involved in a DUI even if you’re the one who doesn’t drink and get behind the wheel.
If the driver was under the influence, it could severely alter the crash resolution process. It is possible and likely that the other driver will face criminal charges, and that investigation can slow down the insurance company’s investigation for resolution.
Is the Other Driver Fighting Fault?
Virginia is an at-fault state, and that fault can be shared. So if the other driver is saying that they’re not at fault, or they’re not as at fault as the insurance companies decided, that battle can delay your compensation. It’s usually very transparent who the at-fault person was. In fact, you probably knew who was at fault before you got out of your vehicle to exchange information or check out the damage.
Unfortunately, whenever someone tries to find fault, it delays the entire process. Now you can work with an attorney that specializes in Virginia car accident resolution in the hopes of speeding that process up.
Delays and Issues with Contradictory Reports
You say one thing, but the other driver says something else. Who did the insurance companies believe? Usually, each respective insurance company will believe the driver that they represent. That makes sense because it means that they would pay out less if their driver was not at fault.
When it comes to contradictory reports, it’s not always just a driver versus driver. A passenger statement or a witness statement can call portions of your version of events or the other driver’s version of events into question. Contradictory reports can hold up the claim resolution process for an extended amount of time.
Will You Ever Have to Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
When it comes to contradictory reports, you may feel pressure to speak with the other driver’s insurance company. It is critical that you don’t fall to that pressure because speaking with the other driver’s insurance company almost never works out well. Even if you know for a fact that you did not contribute to a fault at all, talking to the other insurance company is a bad idea.
This situation is one of the times where it really can be a benefit to have an attorney. The other car insurance may make it seem impossible to close the claim without getting a statement from you. Then they would use a variety of tactics to get you to admit to partial fault or responsibility in some manner.
However, with a local attorney, you can have someone who understands how to approach this requirement and how to do so with your best interest in mind. It’s a challenge, but with a good plan, you can get through your claim without falling into these common traps.
Can a Virginia Beach Car Wreck Lawyer Help With These Issues?
It is very easy to make common mistakes, such as talking to the other driver’s insurance provider. Don’t fall into these common insurance company traps. Instead, get a handle on exactly how your case should go before you even call your insurance company to report the accident.
With a legal professional such as Virginia Injury Law in Virginia beach, you can understand all of the elements of crash resolution now. From how to write a demand letter and what your attorney should fight for most when it comes to settlement negotiations, we offer the help that you need.
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