How to File an Auto Accident Claim
In no-fault states your insurance company will cover medical costs and lost wages regardless of who is responsible for the accident. They'll also be looking over documents and gather evidence (photos witnesses' statements medical records and expense reports).
The amount of compensation you receive is contingent on the severity of injuries and the amount of expenses. This article will guide you through the steps for filing an auto accident claim.
Report the Accident
It's crucial to notify a car crash as soon as you can. In many states, you'll need to do this to the local police department or county sheriff, the state police or Department of Motor Vehicles.
Photograph the scene of the accident if you can. You can use this to help you remember the incident and also to support your insurance claim. For example, photos can show skid marks, vehicle damage or weather conditions, among other important details.
It is also important to obtain the information of the other driver, for instance their name and insurance provider. If you can, ask for their driver's license and car registration.
It's also important to record your own report of the incident as well as what you saw and what happened. Remember that memory isn't always reliable and if you don't document what occurred it could leave you at fault for damages or injuries that aren't obvious later. If auto accident lawsuit santa clara do not notify your insurance company, they may refuse to pay for any damages that result from the accident. You should check your policy or talk to your agent to find out the requirements for filing an accident report.
Seek medical attention
After a car crash, you must seek medical attention and be examined to determine if there are any injuries. A visit to a doctor as soon as possible will allow you to avoid any further issues as well as increase your claim when it's time to negotiate with the insurance company.
If you can, try to go to the emergency room at a hospital after a car crash. This is because hospitals have access to the top surgeons, doctors and medical equipment. It isn't easy for insurance companies and defense lawyers to downplay injuries treated in the hospital.
Car accidents can result in injuries ranging from minor bruising, to serious internal injuries like traumatic brain injury or paralysis. Even if there aren't any symptoms immediately such as pain or stiffness it is essential to see a doctor. These records will be crucial in proving that you've suffered injuries related to the crash.
Our Denver car accident attorneys will make use of these records to build a solid case that the actions of the motorist at fault caused your injuries and that you should be awarded fair compensation for your injuries.
Take Pictures
Take pictures of the accident scene as soon as you can, but ideally before the police arrive. If you are able to take pictures of the damage on each vehicle from various angles. If you can, take photographs of vehicles in close-ups and other evidence (such shattered glasses or airbags deployed). If you aren't able to take close-ups of the vehicles put something like a penny inside the photo to give it a scale. You can also take photos with or without flash to reveal the hidden details.
It is important to take photographs of any injuries you suffered from the accident. Cuts, bruises and scrapes will fade over time, so your photos can serve as a valuable proof of your injuries later. It is also important to capture as many other relevant details of the incident as possible (such as traffic lights, street signs and weather conditions, as well road debris) in order to aid in creating a more detailed picture of what transpired.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contacting your insurance company is important regardless of whether or not are planning to file a claim due to an accident in your car. Your policy may require you take this step, but even in the event that it isn't, your attorney will require proof of your losses (like medical bills and repair expenses) to prove your claim.
Apart from obtaining your car's information and identifying any other drivers involved in the incident, you should also collect any other relevant information you can at the scene, suggests Luna. You should ask for the other driver's insurance card and make sure you have their name as well as their address, phone number, and car insurance details (company, policy number). If there are any witnesses, you should try to get their names and contact numbers as well.
The first thing you'll want to do following a car crash is argue with insurance companies It is crucial to remain calm. Anything you say when you are emotional can be used against you in the future. This is why it's best to hire an attorney take over negotiations. They can 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 negotiations with the insurance company in order to get a fair settlement. They will go through all of your medical records and bills and talk to doctors to determine the totality and extent of your injuries. If you fail to provide them with complete and accurate documents, they won't give you a fair estimate.
You may be entitled non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, in addition to your economic losses. If the other driver was found to have acted with a degree of gross inattention or recklessness the court can award additional compensation, also known as punitive damages.
If the driver who was at fault escaped the scene, you'll have to report it to the police. Also, you should get the crash report from the precinct or online. You'll need it to file a no-fault claim or a liability lawsuit. New York has specific laws that regulate automobile accidents. An experienced lawyer can explain these rules.