How to File an Auto Accident Claim
In states with no fault, your insurance company will cover the cost of medical treatment and lost wages, regardless of who is at fault for the incident. They'll also want to gather evidence and read documents (photos, witness testimonies medical records, witness testimony, and expense reports).
The amount of compensation you receive is contingent on the severity of your injuries and expenses. This article will walk you through the steps involved in filing an auto accident claim.
Report the Accident
It is crucial to notify a car crash promptly. In many states, this is handled by local police or county sheriffs, state police, or Department of Motor Vehicles.
If possible, take pictures of the scene of the crash. You can use them to help you remember the incident as well as to help with your insurance claim. Photos can be used to show details such as skid marks, damage to your vehicle weather conditions, skid marks and other vital details.
You should also obtain the details of the other driver, for instance their name, insurance provider and even their address. You should also request their driver's license and car registration, if they are available.
It's also crucial to write down your own report of the incident as well as what you saw and what happened. If you don't document what happened, you may be held responsible for injuries or damage that later becomes apparent. If you fail to report the incident your insurance company could refuse to cover any damages that result from it. You should check your policy or talk to your agent to determine if you need to file an accident report.
Get Medical Attention
One of the first things you must do following a car crash is to seek medical attention and be assessed for injuries. A visit to a doctor as soon as you can is a good way to avoid any further issues and can increase your claim when it comes time to negotiate with the insurance company.
If you can, it's best to visit a emergency room at a hospital after a car crash. Hospitals have access surgeons, physicians and medical supplies. Defense lawyers and insurance companies might have a difficult time trying to limit the severity of injuries that are treated in the hospital.
Car accidents can result in injuries ranging from minor bruising, to severe internal injuries such as paralysis or traumatic brain injury. Even if you don't feel any symptoms immediately in the form of pain or stiffness it is crucial to see a physician. These records are crucial in proving that you've suffered injuries as a result of the crash.
Our Denver car accident lawyers will use these medical records to construct a strong case showing that the at-fault driver's actions caused your injuries and you are entitled to fair compensation for your damages.
Take Photos
Photograph the scene of the accident as soon as you can, and ideally before police arrive. If you are able, capture all the damage to the vehicle from different vantage points. If you are able, take photographs of vehicles in close-ups and other evidence (such broken glasses or airbags deployed). If you're unable take closeups, try placing an object, such as a coin, in the picture to see how it scales. You can also capture photographs with or without a flash to reveal hidden details.
It is important to take photographs of any injuries you suffered during the accident. The pictures will be valuable evidence later on. Bruises and cuts will fade over time. Additionally, auto accident lawsuit hialeah is a good idea to capture all other relevant details of the incident as possible (such as traffic lights, street signs and weather conditions as well as road debris) in order to help paint a more detailed image of what transpired.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contacting your insurance provider is crucial regardless of whether or not intend to file a claim for a car accident. Your policy may require you to make this call, and even if it doesn't, your attorney will require proof of your losses (like medical bills and repair expenses) to back up your claims.
Besides getting your own vehicle's information and identifying any other drivers involved in the accident, you should also collect any other pertinent information at the scene, says Luna. Request to see the insurance card of the other driver and make sure you have their name address, telephone number, address as well as the details of their car insurance (company, policy number). If there are witnesses, get their names and numbers.
It is important to remain calm, even while the last thing you'd want to do following a car accident is to fight with insurance companies. Any statements you make while you are emotional can be used against you in the future. It is recommended to let an attorney manage the negotiations. They will be able to make sure that you don't say anything that can later be used against you.
Contact an attorney
An experienced attorney can assist you in dealing with the insurance company to get an appropriate settlement. They will review all of your medical records and bills, and consult with your doctor to determine the full extent and the severity of your injuries. If you don't provide them with complete and accurate evidence, they will not give you a fair value.
In addition to pursuing your economic losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, you may also be entitled to non-economic damages for pain and suffering. If the court concludes that the other driver was negligent, reckless or acted with a high degree of or recklessness it could be able to award punitive damages.
You will need to inform the police if the person at fault fled the scene. You can also get an exact copy of a crash report from the police precinct or online. This is needed to start a lawsuit or file a no-fault claim. New York has specific laws that govern auto accidents. An experienced attorney can explain these rules.