Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Car Accident Claims Procedures

What to do after a car accident not your fault in Ireland?

The quality of our roads is slowly improving and generally the quality of driving also is slowly getting better, but car accidents still do happen and, in those circumstances we have to ask ourselves the pertinent question “What to do after a car accident not your fault in Ireland?”

Here are some important DON’T’s and DO’s

DON’T’s

Don’t lose it

Keep calm and respectful even when the others at the accident scene ARE losing it. Listen and note everything that is said. It may help you later if there is a dispute over the car accident.

Don’t just take the other party’s word for it

In view of the above there are some situations where the other driver or passengers may admit their liability and tell this to you verbally. But don’t take their word for it. Get them to put it in writing, and get them, if you can to sign it. It’s so easy, afterwards, to deny something they said, but if you have it signed and in writing to back it up, then things become harder to deny.

Don’t force the other driver to give their Insurance details

Although it is normal procedure to exchange insurance details you cannot force someone to do so. If they refuse,try and get a witness to the event and note down these details;

  1. The registration number of the vehicle
  2. The maker of car
  3. Its colour
  4. Any other feature that will enable the Gardaí to track the vehicle

Then inform the Gardaí of the refusal and give them the details in order from them to track down the driver.

Don’t ever admit anything

Don’t ever admit that the car accident is your fault or even partially your fault. And don’t even apologize before you know the true cause of the car accident. Saying “sorry”, unfortunately, is almost an admission of your guilt, and the other driver’s insurance company who want to get as much money from your insurance company will use this to their advantage when liability is settled, and you lose your no claims bonuses.

Here are some DO’s

Never ever leave the scene of the accident unless medically you have to

Don’t leave the scene unless you really need to go to hospital. Otherwise, you may end up in trouble with the Gardaí.

Call the Gardaí

They may or may not come depending on their availability and the seriousness of the car accident but call them you must.

Exchange details;

  1. Name, address, and phone number of the driver
  2. Insurance company, policy number, end date of policy
  3. License plate number
  4. Name and number of the Gardaí attending

You should get photos of the car accident scene from the camera in your mobile phone.

DO contact your insurance company immediately, even if you were not at fault.

DO take on an experienced and successful Personal Injury Solicitor if you have been injured in the car accident.

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