If you have been involved in a serious car accident, your primary concern may be to contact a car accident law firm and work towards a monetary settlement to help you handle the damages associated with your accident. In this case, this objective can be difficult if you are blamed for an accident you didn’t instigate in the first place. Unfortunately, proving your innocence in the aftermath of a car accident can be challenging and controversial. Although you witnessed the accident in first person, you still have a burden to prove to your insurance provider, and in court, if arbitration is pursued.
To give you more insight into proving your innocence, here are some tips on what to do after a car accident that is not your fault.
Obtain Undisputed Evidence
If you are confident that you were not at fault for your car accident, you should focus your time and resources on obtaining evidence that can’t be disputed by your insurance company. It can be tricky receiving undisputed evidence in some situations, but the effort is certainly worth a try and can ultimately rid you of any fault if you can provide this evidence to prove your claim.
Common forms of undisputed evidence include video footage and witness statements. Both of these will suffice as evidence, and they can’t be easily ignored by your insurance company. It’s a wise move to scout the accident scene for any video cameras or collect a witness statement from a bystander or driver who was present during the accident.
Tell The Truth
If you have been involved in a car accident that isn’t your fault, it can oftentimes be easy to lose your composure. Nonetheless, it’s imperative to stay calm and remember to tell the truth if you are asked by your insurance adjuster to recollect the events leading up to your accident. If you are truly not at fault, there is certainly nothing to hide.
There is a fundamental reason why you must be truthful if you are asked for your personal testimony by your insurance company. Lying to your insurance provider could result in a large variety of consequences. Telling the truth is the simplest way of getting on with the process of receiving your settlement without any drama. However, it is always best to consult with an attorney before speaking with the insurance company, because anything you say can possibly be used against you.
Hire an Attorney
Your insurance company initially has the last word on how much you are eligible to receive after your car accident. Still, if you aren’t satisfied with your settlement offer, or if you believe that you have been incorrectly assigned the blame in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you can challenge their decision in court by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
If you have a strong case, the judge can override your insurance company’s decision and force them to award you a settlement commensurate with the damages you sustained.
I you believe you are not at fault for your recent car accident, you should be mindful of the steps you need to take to prove your innocence. In the event that you aren’t satisfied with your settlement offer, consult with an attorney to consider taking your claim to court.
