Quirk Accident and Injury Attorneys can guide you through the claims process when you’re in a car accident in Thousand Oaks. With an insurance claim, there’s certain pieces of information that you’re going to need–the most important of which is the policy limits. Sometimes, though, this can be tough to unravel. That’s where our team can step in. Contact us today for a free consultation to talk more about your options.
How Can You Find Out What The Other Driver’s Insurance Policy Limits Are?
Unfortunately, just getting the other driver’s insurance information isn’t going to be enough to know how much you can get in a claim. As our video points out, every driver in California is legally required to have car insurance, but policies have limits to the amount of damage they’ll cover–and even then, they’re going to try to save money by going lower on these limits. Basically, the kind of policy they have is going to impact your claim’s value.
That said, there’s an easy way to find out what the other driver’s policy limits are: asking for their declaration page. More commonly known as a “dec page”, this has a lot of useful information for your claim, like:
- The other driver’s name, address, and contact information.
- Details about their car, including the make, model, and VIN.
- Their policy number, which you can use to start your claim.
- A breakdown of what their policy actually covers, including policy limits, liability or property damage.
- Policy effective dates that confirm their insurance was active at the time of the crash.
- The name of the company that will handle the claim.
This page helps you understand what you might be able to recover and whether the other driver has enough coverage to pay for your injuries or repairs. If not, you may need to explore options through your own insurance. More importantly, though, this is typically the first thing we ask for, which helps us get a clearer picture of how the claims process will go.
How Does the Claims Process Work After a Car Accident?
Even with the other driver’s insurance policy information–and even if they’re the one that caused the accident–you’re the one that actually has to file a claim to get financial support. You can do this totally through the insurance company if you want. This means you’ll file a claim outside of court, and it can wrap up much more quickly than a lawsuit. But there’s a few important drawbacks you need to be aware of:
- The insurance company may delay your claim to pressure you into accepting less–especially if you’re already dealing with bills and lost wages.
- Their first offer probably won’t cover everything, especially long-term costs like future medical care or lost earning potential.
- They control the payout, so if you don’t push back, you could be left with far less than you actually need.
At that point, you can file a lawsuit in court, which takes more time and effort. However, it’s a much more impartial process and can give you a better chance at getting full damages that come about because of the accident, like:
- Medical expenses and ongoing care needs
- Lost wages or lost earning potential if you can’t work anymore
- Car repair costs or even replacement costs if it’s totaled
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses (in fatal accidents)
Remember, there’s time limits on an injury claim in California. The law gives you just two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you miss that deadline, you may lose your chance to get damages altogether. That’s why it’s so important to act quickly, understand your options, and start building your case as soon as you can.
How Can I Strengthen My Car Accident Claim?
The steps you take right after a car accident can make or break your case. It’s all about getting the necessary information and evidence you’re going to need to go up against the other driver’s insurance company. Here’s what you can do to strengthen your claim:
- Call 911 – You have to call 911 because your safety comes first. More importantly, though, it allows you to get medical help right away. Let paramedics check you out at the scene. If your injuries are bad enough, they’ll take you to a hospital by ambulance.
- Exchange information – Share names, phone numbers, and insurance details with everyone involved.
- Take photos and videos – Take photos of the cars, damage, the road, and anything else that shows what happened.
- Get the police involved – Call the Thousand Oaks police, especially if someone’s hurt, there’s serious damage, or the other driver isn’t cooperating. They can help you get information from others that you can use later.
- Be careful – When you talk to police, others, or insurance companies, be careful with what you say. Don’t admit fault or speculate about what happened. Your words can be used to impact your claim positively or negatively, so just stick to the facts.
- Keep everything – Save all documents. That includes medical bills, repair estimates, receipts, and anything else related to the accident.
Staying calm and taking these steps can make a big difference in your recovery–physically, financially, and legally. Once things settle down, reach out to our team. We’ll help you understand your rights and what comes next.
Free Consultations For Thousand Oaks Car Accident Victims
If you’ve been in a car accident in Thousand Oaks, you already know how quickly things can turn upside down–medical bills pile up, your car needs repairs, and you may be missing work. One of the biggest factors that affects what you can recover is the other driver’s insurance policy limits. If their coverage is low, it might not be enough to fully cover your losses.
That’s why it’s important to speak with our team at Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys. We understand how to work around these limits and explore every option for getting you the support you need. Contact us today to set up your free consultation and get the process started.