When we leave for work or run an errand in our car, we never think we are going to get into an accident. Driving is actually the most dangerous thing most humans do on a daily basis. Even when we try our best to stay safe, there is still a chance of one small mistake creating a wreck that affects many people's lives.
What happens afterward can be even more frustrating than the actual wreck. The first thoughts you might have are anger toward the other person in the accident, especially if you know you were not the person at fault.
Sometimes it can be confusing to decide who is to blame for something like this, which creates tension not only between drivers but also between insurance companies and the policyholders.
What happens at mediation for a car accident? Are there times when an insurance company and the driver can't come to a reasonable conclusion about how much money is going to be given out for a claim?
We'll discuss these aspects of the post-accident experience. The most important thing to remember is to stay calm and don't act out. This applies to when you talk to the other victim of the accident and your insurance company after filing a claim.
Use Logic, Not Emotion
Whether you are a college student driving a cheap vehicle or a retired car collector taking your classic MB MGB for a drive, there is going to be a rush of anger when the accident reveals major damage to your ride.
You never know whether your insurance company will provide all the funds needed to fix the car, or whether the damage is so severe that the vehicle will be totaled. Cars mean a lot to people, and seeing the damage right after the accident can be emotionally raw and frustrating.
Remember, your own safety is the most important thing in any scenario. If you see that your injuries are minor or non-existent, view it as a reward and take a deep breath. There is no reason to get out of the car and start screaming expletives at the other driver.
This ties to the issues with road rage that so many Americans struggle with. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that over half of all fatal car accidents occur because of anger-ridden driving. If the drivers in a road rage accident survive, they are much more likely to get out of the car and continue the aggression outside the vehicle.
This is nearly impossible to stop once the accident has occurred because both people are already so fired up. Once again, use logical decisions instead of emotional ones. Think about what you have to lose when you continue a fight. You could lose your job, go to prison for assault, and never live a peaceful life with your loved ones again.
Be grateful for your safety and call 911 to report the accident. Wait calmly and get both people's information written down on paper for the authorities to look over once they arrive on the scene. Remind yourself that driving is not a game. This is a life-or-death scenario, and choosing to escalate the situation will only make everyone's life worse in the end.
Handling the Insurance Companies
Unfortunately, the fighting after an accident often extends beyond the two drivers involved in the crash. Insurance companies are always going to evaluate the damage to your vehicle with a fine-toothed comb to make sure they are not giving you too much in your claim.
They will look at who is at fault. They will see whether you could have done anything to prevent the damage done in the accident. Were you wearing a seatbelt? Did you run a red light? Were you driving over the speed limit? All these things can factor into them giving you a smaller settlement than you originally thought.
If you feel your insurance company is not sticking to the policy they signed with you, you can send the case to mediation. This is when a third party settles legal disputes out of court so the legal system isn't overwhelmed with the number of arguments that frequently take place in this space.
Both sides will need to bring their lawyers to the mediation table to present their arguments. The mediator will then listen and give their best advice on how you should move forward. Mediation is not a verdict or a formal court hearing. It is used to save money and time on those items, creating a friendly environment where disputes can be settled out of court.
The best thing you can do to prevent disputes with your insurance company is to spend some time picking a company that cares about people. Don't just look at who has the best pricing.
When bad things happen, make sure the insurance agent you have is an ambassador for you. They should be a person you can rely on for information and support. It's why so many insurance commercials advertise the human aspect of this relationship (think about State Farm's "like a good neighbor" catchphrase).
Forgive Yourself for Accidents
Getting into an accident is overwhelming and traumatic. Even if you stay calm and both the other driver and your insurance company work with you swimmingly, the fallout on your mental health can be brutal.
Many case studies prove how much negative impact a wreck can have on your mental and emotional health. Some people are never able to drive again or get inside of a vehicle.
Forgive yourself for whatever mistakes were made. Realize that you are only human and you can become a better driver after the incident. Talk to a mental health professional if your anxiety and aversion to the road persist for months after the accident. Don't feel embarrassed if you are scared.
Sometimes bad things happen even when you take all the necessary steps to prevent them. It's how we respond to these events that shape our attitudes and what happens in the aftermath. Please forgive yourself.
About The Author: Shawn Laib writes and researches for the legal advice site, FreeAdvice.com. He tries to help people understand their legal rights and how they can avoid going to court for small disputes.
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