Nothing can be worse following an auto accident than to not collect someone’s insurance information. There’s a common accident/insurance scam where a scammer will offer you a certain low-ball monetary sum to avoid having to give you insurance information.
Usually the scam goes something like this:
You’re waiting in a parking lot or at a stop light. A car collides with your vehicle causing you to jerk or "whiplash" in the vehicle. The accident may involve a minor impact, with little property damage, or a significant one. You feel slightly shaken, your heart races, and you’re slight achy. There’s no significant on-site bodily injury, merely "post-accident anxiety."
The scam artist races to your car, is usually very apologetic, and even "confesses" to causing the accident, including a "generous" offer to pay for the damage to your car. The scammer will give you an excuse like they don’t want their insurance to increase, they’re very busy, the accident didn’t cause much damage, or they don’t want their spouse to find out. They’ll offer you some money (usually an amount below $500), "to make it all go away."
You’re not injured, so against your better judgment, you decide to take the "nice" man/woman’s offer, and save yourself some hassle too.
The problem is, you later discover that the damage to your vehicle is significant, and those "slight" aches have turned into a mind-numbing pain that even the best over-the-counter pain reliever can’t ease. What you discover is that your "sweet deal" quickly turned into a costly sour apple.
The problem is, now you can’t get make a claim because you don’t have any of the offender’s information, and you haven’t properly documented the accident. The scam artist got away with a good deal, while you’re stuck with the costly bill.
Remember in Oklahoma, if you’re involved in an automobile accident, you’re required to exchange information with the other party. Don’t let the other party out of his/her obligation. If they’re pressuring you to settle, use the law and your obligation to stay out of trouble as an excuse.
It’s important too for you to contact the police, unless the circumstances/laws say otherwise. Having the proper documentation regarding the accident will protect you in the future when you need the medical care and auto body repair that you deserve.
If you have been the victim in a motor vehicle accident anywhere in Oklahoma, call my firm ASAP for a free consultation at 405-748-0318, or go to http://www.absolutelawfirm.com.
