How To Deal With Having A Car Accident With A Family Member Driving

Posted on: 27 July 2017

There is some guilt and misunderstanding on both sides, usually, when a family member is driving another family member and they end up in a car accident. If you are on the passenger side of this equation, consider these facts when deciding how to handle the issue.

Your Insurance Claim Shouldn't Hurt Your Family Member

As long as your family member had auto insurance, your claim should do minimal damage to that person. Their insurance rates may go up, but it's nothing compared the the costs of medical bills and car repairs you would face on your own after an accident. Don't be afraid to file an insurance claim against a family member. You're simply following the law. In fact, paying for damages out of pocket would often be more expensive to them than having insurance handle it.

A Car Accident Attorney Can Help

Are you reluctant to handle an insurance claim involving family? A car accident attorney can make the process a little less personal and confrontational. In fact, they will be the ones speaking with the insurance company and handling the paperwork. When you are following sound legal advice, it seems a little bit less like a personal attack than if you were to start a law suit yourself.

Communicating with Your Family Member May Help

Your family member probably has a lot of guilt about causing an accident that you were involved in. They might also wonder how you will handle the aftermath and whether you will speak ill about them to the rest of the family. Talking it out after an accident is a great idea to soothe family tension. Of course, being objective with family members about what happened or agreeing not to bring it up at all will help keep drama out of the equation. On the other side of the table, make sure your family member doesn't plan to speak ill about you for filing an insurance claim. Getting this agreement in the open from the beginning is wise.

Follow Legal Advice to End the Claim Quickly

Probably, what you don't want is a legal battle that lasts for a year or more. As long as your injuries are minor, the auto accident attorney can help you settle your claim within 3-6 months of the accident. But it will depend on you receiving and documenting your medical treatment, keeping records of time taken off of work, and cooperating with the lawyer and insurance adjuster.

Contact a lawyer with a firm like Monohan & Blankenship to get help.

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Presenting Your Case

After I was involved in a serious car accident, I knew that there had to be something I could do to prove my case. I was being sued by the other drivers for causing the accident, when I knew that I wasn't at fault. Instead of laying down and paying the money that I knew I didn't owe, I decided to work with a personal injury attorney to present my case. My lawyer did everything they could to prove my innocence, and when I was vindicated a few months later, it was an amazing feeling. This blog is all about presenting your case with the help of an attorney.

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