Expert: Doctor Settlement - 10/3/2007

Question
My husband was involved in a motorcycle accident.  He was rushed to the hospital so he was not on the there was the police arrived.  The police said the other driver admitted to being at fault and it is stated on the police report.  Now, we have the same insurance company and he has changed his statement saying my husband was at fault.  What I can I do to make sure the insurance company don't take advantage of us?

Answer
Dear Contrillio,

The police version, together with your husband's testimony will carry the day.  You MUST obtain the police report ASAP and see if any witnesses are listed.  Get in touch with the witnesses and get a statement.  

Witness statements in personal injury insurance claims http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0196.htm

Next thing to do is to become familiar with the power of photographs, and to go out and take some, even if all evidence of the accident is gone.  It still helps to illustrate what happened.

Insurance claim photos http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0231.htm

Preserve evidence in auto accident photographs  http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0200.htm

Next thing is to make sure that your PIP or MEDPAY claim is handled by a different adjuster than your third party claim versus the tortfeasor.  That is most likely standard operating procedure for your company, but just ask to be sure.  Other than that, there is no worry about both of you having the same company.

That is about it.  Best wishes to your husband.

Dr. Settlement, J.D. (Juris Doctor)
www.SettlementCentral.Com