How to File an Auto Accident Claim
In states where there is no fault, your insurance company will pay for the cost of medical treatment and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. They'll also be looking over documents and gather evidence (photos, witness testimony medical records and expense reports).
The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the amount of expenses. This article will guide you through the steps for making a claim in the event of an auto accident.
Report the Accident
It's essential to report a crash as soon as possible. In many states, you'll need make this report to the local police department, county sheriff, state police, or Department of Motor Vehicles.
Photograph the scene of the accident if you are able to. This can help you recall what happened and can be helpful for your insurance claim. Photos can be used to show specifics like skid marks, car damage weather conditions, skid marks, and other important details.
It's also a good idea to get the other driver's information including their name as well as the insurance company. You should also ask for the driver's license and vehicle registration, if possible.
It is also essential to record your personal report of the incident, including what you saw and what transpired. Remember, memory isn't reliable and if you don't document what occurred, you could be responsible for damages or injuries that aren't apparent later on. If you fail to notify your insurance company, they could refuse to cover any injuries that result from the incident. Go through your policy, or contact your agent to determine if you need to file an accident report.
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After a crash, you must seek medical attention and have your body examined to determine if there are any injuries. Seeing a doctor as soon as you can is a good way to avoid any future complications, and it can also make your claim stronger when it comes time to negotiate with the insurance company.
If you can, it's best to go to the emergency room at a hospital after a car crash. Hospitals have access surgeons, physicians and medical equipment. It can be challenging for insurance companies and defense attorneys to deny injuries sustained in a hospital.
Car accidents can result in injuries ranging from minor bruising, up to serious internal injuries like traumatic brain injury or paralysis. Even if certain symptoms, such as stiffness and pain do not show up immediately, it's important to go visit a doctor. These medical records will be critical evidence in proving your claim that you sustained injury-related injuries as a result of the crash.
Our Denver car accident lawyers will utilize these medical records to build solid evidence that the actions of the driver responsible for the accident resulted in your injuries and you are entitled to fair compensation for your losses.
Take Photos
Take photos of the accident site as soon as you can, and ideally before police arrive. If you are able, capture all the damages to each vehicle from various vantage points. It is also important to take close-up photographs of the vehicles and any other evidence of importance (such as shattered glass or deployed airbags) in the event that you are able to do this. If you're not able to get closeups, try placing objects, like a coin, in the picture for scale. It is also beneficial to take photos with and without flash as different lighting conditions could reveal details that are not obvious.
You should also take pictures of any injuries you have suffered in the accident. The photographs will be useful evidence later on. Bruises and cuts will fade with time. Additionally, it is an excellent idea to record all other relevant details of the incident as you can (such as traffic lights, street signs, weather conditions and road debris) These details can aid in creating a more detailed picture of what transpired.
Contact Your Insurance Company
If you're planning to file a car crash claim, it's essential to contact your insurance company as quickly as possible. Your policy may require you to do this, and even if it doesn't, your attorney will require records of your losses (like medical charges and repair costs) to back up your claims.
In addition to collecting your own vehicle's information and identifying any other drivers involved in the incident Also, you should collect any other relevant information you can at the scene, suggests Luna. You should ask to see the insurance card of the driver who was involved in the accident and ensure that you have their name, the address, number, as well as information about their vehicle insurance (company and policy numbers). If there are witnesses, get their names and contact numbers.
It is important to remain calm even though the last thing you would like to do after a car accident is to fight with insurance companies. If you're emotionally charged the statements you make can be used against you later on in the process. This is why it's often best to have an attorney deal with negotiations. They can make sure that you don't say anything that could later be used against you.
Contact an attorney
An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the insurance company and negotiate an appropriate settlement. They will go through all of your medical records and bills, and talk to doctors to determine the extent and the severity of your injuries. If you fail to 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 could be entitled to non-economic damages for suffering and pain. If the court concludes that the other driver acted with gross negligence, recklessness or malice the court may decide to award punitive damages.
You should notify the police if the driver who was at fault fled the scene. Also, you should get a copy of the crash report from the precinct or online. This is required to bring a lawsuit or a no-fault lawsuit. New York has specific laws that regulate automobile accidents. A knowledgeable attorney can explain these rules.