How to File an Auto Accident Claim
In states with no fault your insurance company will pay for the cost of medical treatment and lost wages,
auto accidents regardless of who was at fault for the accident. They'll also want to review documents and gather evidence (photos, witness testimony, medical records and expense reports).
The amount of compensation you receive is contingent on the severity of your injuries as well as the cost of your injuries. This article will walk you through the steps required to file an
auto accident lawyers accident claim.
Report the Accident
It's crucial to report a car crash immediately. In many states, this will be done by the local police or county sheriffs, state police, or Department of Motor Vehicles.
Photograph the scene of the accident if are able to. This will help you remember what happened, and can be useful in your insurance claim. For instance, photos can show skid marks, damage to vehicles or weather conditions, among other important details.
You should also collect the information of the other driver, such as their name and insurance provider. You should also ask for the driver's license and vehicle registration, if they are available.
It's also important to record your personal account of the accident as well as what you saw and what happened. If you fail to record the details of what transpired, you could be held accountable for injuries or damage that later becomes apparent. If you fail to notify your insurance company, they could decline to pay for damages resulting from the incident. Check your policy or contact your agent to determine the requirements for filing an accident report.
Seek medical attention
After a car crash, you should seek medical attention and be examined to determine if there are any injuries. You can avoid future complications by visiting the doctor as soon as possible. This can also help your case when negotiating with the insurance company.
It is best to visit an emergency room in a hospital in the event that it is possible after a car wreck. Hospitals have access top-quality surgeons, doctors, and medical supplies. It can be challenging for insurance companies and defense lawyers to downplay injuries treated in hospitals.
Injuries from car accidents can range from minor bruising up to severe internal injuries, including brain injuries that are traumatic and even paralysis. Even if symptoms, such as pain and stiffness, don't manifest right away it is important to visit a doctor. The medical records will serve as crucial evidence to support 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 construct solid evidence that the at-fault driver's actions caused your injuries and that you are entitled to an equitable amount of compensation for your injuries.
Take Pictures
Photograph the scene of the accident as quickly as you can, and ideally before the police arrive. If you can take pictures of the damages on each vehicle from different angles. If you can, take close-up shots of the vehicles and other evidence (such shattered glasses or deployed airbags). If you're unable to capture close-ups, you can try placing an object, like coins, into the picture for scale. It's also beneficial to take photos with and without a flash, as different lighting conditions could reveal details that are not obvious.
It is also important to take photos of any injuries that you suffered during the accident. Bruises, cuts and scrapes will fade with time, so these photos can be used as evidence of your injuries later on. It is also a good idea for you to capture photos of other aspects that are relevant to the incident (such as road signs, traffic signals weather conditions, road debris) as they can aid in forming a more clear picture of what transpired.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contacting your insurance company is vital regardless of whether or not you intend to file a claim for an auto accident. You might be required to file a claim by your policy, but even if you are not an attorney, you will need evidence of your losses to back up your claim (such as repair costs and medical bills).
In addition to obtaining your vehicle's information and identifying any other drivers involved in the collision You should also gather any other pertinent information at the scene, suggests Luna. Request to see the insurance card of the other driver and make sure you have their name address, number, and address, and car insurance details (company, policy number). If there are any witnesses, you should try to get their names and contact numbers too.
It is important to remain calm even when the last thing you'd like to do after a car accident is to dispute insurance companies. Any statements you make while emotions are high could be used against you in the future. It is best to have an attorney handle the negotiations. They can ensure that you don't say anything that could be used against you in the future.
Contact an attorney
An experienced attorney can help you in negotiations with the insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement. They will review your medical bills and other records and will often consult with a physician to offer their opinions on the extent of your injuries. Insurance companies will not give you fair value when they haven't been provided with complete and accurate documentation.
You could be entitled to noneconomic damages, such as suffering and pain in addition to the economic losses. If the other driver was found to have acted with a degree of gross carelessness or negligence the court could award additional compensation, also known as punitive damages.
You'll need to notify the police if the person at blame fled the scene. You can also obtain an exact copy of a crash report from the precinct or on the internet. You will need this to file a no-fault claim or a liability lawsuit. New York has very specific rules that govern
auto accidents and these rules are best explained by a knowledgeable attorney.