Car Insurance Claims Help in Alaska
Reader’s Question:
If in case I get involved in an accident what advice can you give me regarding the things that I should do? Also, if it is not my fault, can I also immediately contact the other party’s car insurance company regarding a claim?
Tess
Anchorage, AK
In case you get into an accident you have to check first if there is someone injured. Call an ambulance immediately if it is needed be if everybody is okay but a bit shaken, call the non-emergency number for the police department. You need the police report in filing for an auto insurance claim. You need to collect all the information from the other party involved such as contact number, insurance information, license plate number, etc. You also have to find witnesses who saw the accident but if you can’t, you could rely on the police report.
You also need to get in touch with your car insurance company and tell them about the accident. A lot of auto insurance providers have a 24-hour claim service to their customers. You might also want to get in touch with the other person’s auto insurance provider to let them know about the claim you filed against one of their customers. Then an insurance adjuster would come out to check the damage and issue a dollar cost of the damage. You could dispute the settlement at this point but if you do that, you won’t probably receive any resolution so be aware of that when settling the claim.
Why Are Alaska DUI Arrests Increasing?
Reader’s Question:
It’s alarming that so many people I know are being caught drunk driving here in Alaska. Of course, I wouldn’t want the same thing to happen to me. If I was asked to stop for a DUI suspicion, what do you think is the best I can do if I’m already placed under arrest?
Ciara
Anchorage, AK
The sad truth is that if you read police reports, it can be frustrating sometimes to know the statements of people who are caught drunk driving. The common problem here is that most people arrested for DUI in Alaska don’t know that they have the right to refuse to answer questions that might incriminate them before they are arrested.
It is very important to always remember that everything you say from the point you are approached by the police officer until you are released from custody can, and most likely will, be in a subsequent police report, and it may be used against you at trial. You don’t need to say anything to the police officer other than your name and insurance information. Also, don’t offer information such as “I only had two beers” or “I’m upset because my boyfriend just broke up with me.” Don’t even make jokes to the police officer. Don’t argue with them, or swear at the officer because you will later regret it.
It is possible for a DUI lawyer to get the statements thrown out, but it is also possible that a judge may leave them intact and they will then be intact for a jury to hear. So always remember to be quiet, give out only essential information, and hope for the best.