As an immigrant living in a foreign country, getting into a car accident may feel scary. However, knowing your legal rights and filing for insurance should not be something you avoid. It is important to contact your insurance provider to explain the problem.
Also, knowing how and when to get professional legal help is very important. This blog will explain everything you need to know about dealing with insurance companies as a Chinese or Asian Immigrant.
Immediate Steps After an Accident
Ensure Safety First
The first and foremost thing to do if you get into an accident is to make sure you and the passenger next to you are okay! Once you have made sure everyone is okay, move to a safe spot. If the car is still in working condition, move it to a safer spot, like the side of the road; otherwise, leave the car and get to a safe spot.
Call 911 even if there are no visible injuries now; some may appear later on, or some might even be internal. So, it is always recommended to seek medical help in such situations.
Gather Evidence
After ensuring safety, make sure to get some evidence. Take pictures of your vehicle, surroundings, the road, or even the other vehicle. Collecting evidence is important as it may help you claim insurance.
Also, if there is an eyewitness, get their contact information, as it will help you create a stronger case for yourself.
Exchange Information with the Other Driver
It is very important to exchange information with the other driver. Make sure to exchange names, phone numbers, and insurance details. Also, make sure to apologize and not use foul language, as it can be used against you in an insurance claim.
Understanding Insurance Laws in Las Vegas
Nevada is an At-Fault State
One thing to keep in mind is that Nevada is an At-fault state. This means that the driver responsible for the accident has to make the compensation with his insurance, so if you were the driver that unintentionally caused the accident, you need to be prepared to compensate.
However, the compensation can be reduced if both the parties are at fault.
Minimum Insurance Requirements in Nevada
It is very important to have insurance in the state of Nevada. It is mandatory for all vehicle owners to have insurance of at least:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $20,000 for property damage
In case you are the diver at fault, and you don’t have insurance or the insurance you have is less than this, then you can rely on your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Dealing with Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help you recover compensation from your insurer if the at-fault driver does not have proper insurance. The absence of this coverage may require you to pursue legal action to recover damages.
Challenges Faced by Chinese & Asian Immigrants in Insurance Claims
Language Barrier Issues
There are a lot of issues a Chinese or Asian immigrant may face; one of them can be a language barrier. If you are not fluent in English, understanding and filing insurance claims can be hard for you. This is where consulting a Chinese lawyer or an Asian lawyer in Las Vegas can prove to be a great help.
When you hire a lawyer who knows and understands your language, communicating your problem becomes easier. When your problem is conveyed successfully, half of your tension is relieved.
Cultural Barriers & Fear of Legal Trouble
Now, if you are a Chinese or Asian immigrant, chances are taking legal action sounds very aggressive to you; however, it should not be the case. This is your legal right to file compensation, as it can save you hundreds of dollars.
Risk of Insurance Companies Taking Advantage
When you are an immigrant, ensure you know your rights. Insurance companies may offer you low settlements if they think that you don’t know the law.
This is why having an Asian lawyer or Chinese lawyer in Las Vegas can work out in your favor. A skilled lawyer can guide you properly and even fight your case to get you the compensation you deserve.
How to Communicate with Insurance Companies
Reporting the Accident to Your Insurance Provider
Reporting your accident to your insurance companies is very crucial. If you waste time, it might reduce your chances of getting compensation from your insurance company.
So when should you report the accident to your insurance company? Instantly! It is very important to immediately inform your insurance company about the accident. And make sure to reach out to them with proper details and evidence. It is also very important to keep track of all conversations and interactions you have with your insurance providers.
Also, you can get legal help from a skilled lawyer in such cases because he can guide you in detail about the whole process and about everything you need to claim insurance.
How to Negotiate a Fair Settlement
Knowing where your case stands and how these companies work is very important when dealing with insurance companies.
One thing to know is never to accept the first offer that you get from an insurance company. Also, knowing how much compensation you need to get your vehicle back to its original form is very important. This is why you need to do all of your research beforehand.
However, if you have hired a skilled Asian lawyer in Las Vegas, then you can just sit back and relax while your lawyer fights your case and gets you all the compensation you deserve.
When to Hire a Lawyer & How to Find One
Signs You Need a Lawyer
How will you know when hiring a lawyer is compulsory? In certain cases like:
- Wrongful or unexpected death of a person involved in an accident
- When your insurance company denies or keeps delaying your claim
- When the insurance company offers you a very low settlement, that is no good considering the situation
How to Find a Lawyer Who Understands Your Needs
As mentioned earlier, getting a lawyer who understands your language can be a great help. But the question remains: how will you find A Chinese lawyer in Las Vegas? You can search on Google for Chinese or Asian lawyers near you or find a good lawyer by going to Micheal Hua’s law firm’s website.
After reading this blog, you can get a clear idea of everything you need to do in order to get an insurance claim for your car accident as a Chinese or Asian immigrant. There is nothing to be afraid of, even if you are living in another country, as it is still your legal right to get compensation.
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