Car Accident Claims : Everything You Need to Know
Have you ever been in a car accident? If so, then you know how traumatic the experience is. Not only are you dealing with the physical pain of your injuries, but also the emotional stress of knowing that your life could have been forever changed in an instant.
Then, on top of it all, there’s the financial burden that comes with being out of work and racking up medical bills. It’s no wonder so many people don’t understand car accident claims.
If you’ve recently been in a road accident, this blog post is for you. We’ll go over everything you need to do after a car crash. Take a look at the steps below to learn more about the car accident claim process.
Call the Police
The first thing you should do after a car accident is call the police. This is important for a few reasons. First, the police will create an official report of the road accident, which could be used as evidence later on.
Second, the police will help investigate the cause of the accident and determine who is at fault. Not only that, but the police can help keep everyone at the scene safe until medical help arrives, if needed.
Take Pictures and Get Witness Contact Info
If you’re able to, it’s a good idea to take pictures of the scene of the accident. This can help prove what happened in case there are any discrepancies later on.
You should also get the contact information for any witnesses to the accident. Their testimony could be valuable if the case ends up going to court.
Seek Medical Attention
Once you’ve called the police, your next step should be to seek medical attention if you require it. Many people mistakenly believe they don’t need to see a doctor after a car accident, but this isn’t always the case.
Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not appear right away. So, it’s important to see by a doctor—even if you don’t feel like you’re injured.
Not to mention, going to the doctor helps when you file a personal injury claim. The insurance company can’t argue that you aren’t truly hurt because you didn’t see a physician.
Going to the emergency room jumpstarts the paper trail for the car accident claim process.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After seeking medical attention, your next step is to contact your insurance company. This is important because you’ll want to start the process of filing a claim as soon as possible.
Keep in mind that different states have different laws when it comes to car accident claims. Speak with an attorney to find out what you should do in your specific situation.
But in general, here’s what you can expect from the insurance claim process:
- You’ll need to provide your insurance company with a copy of the police report.
- You’ll also have to give your insurance provider a list of all your injuries.
- You may need to provide the insurance company with medical records and bills.
- The insurance company will likely want to interview you about the accident.
- The insurance provider will probably inspect the damage to both cars.
- The insurance company may offer car accident compensation, but you don’t have to accept it.
It’s important not to talk too much when calling the insurance provider. Sometimes, they’ll use your words against you, in an effort to get out of paying a claim.
If you plan to file a lawsuit through an attorney, do that first. That way, they can do the talking for you.
Wait, What About My Car?
One question that often comes up after a car accident is what happens to your car. In most cases, the damaged car is towed and stored at an impound lot. You’ll then have to contact the lot to find out how to get your car back.
If the damage to your car is severe, it may not be worth repairing. In this case, you can choose to sell the car to the insurance company or keep it and let the insurance company total it.
In either case, contact your insurance company and let them know what you want to do. They’ll then work with you to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
So, what happens if you decide to file a car accident claim?
First, you’ll need to speak with an attorney who specializes in personal injury law. This attorney will help you gather the evidence you need to win your case.
Also, you must give your insurance company a letter of intent. This letter states that you’re planning on filing a car accident lawsuit, and it gives the insurance company a chance to offer you a settlement.
If the insurance company doesn’t offer a reasonable car accident compensation, your lawyer will file a lawsuit on your behalf.
The process of filing a car accident lawsuit is long and arduous. But with the help of an experienced attorney, you have a better chance of winning.
As you can imagine, auto accidents are quite expensive. But how expensive are they? Well, take a look at the highlighted link to read more about the average car accident cost.
Understanding the Process of Car Accident Claims
We hope this article was helpful in giving you a better understanding of car accident claims. If you’ve been in a collision and need help, it’s best to contact an experienced attorney.
For more content like this, be sure to check out our website. Thanks so much for reading!
