What Is an Accident Claim?
An accident claim is an official request for compensation from your insurance provider after the car crashes. Your insurance provider will determine the cause of the accident based on all evidence available including police reports and witnesses.
Documenting the scene and taking pictures will help to prevent your claim being reduced to your word against the words of the other driver. Other evidences include:
Medical bills
After an accident, victims of car accidents are often faced with large amount of medical bills. This can be a stressful experience. The victims may not know who is responsible for paying their medical bills and how they will get by. Fortunately, there are several ways to get your medical bills paid following an accident.
If you were injured in an accident in your car, your no-fault insurance company will cover the initial medical expenses up to $50,000 per person. You must submit a claim to no-fault insurance within one year from the date of the accident. You'll lose the capacity to pay these charges if you don't. It is also crucial that you submit your claim to the right insurance company. For instance, if worked and you were involved in an accident, the no-fault coverage will be provided by the auto insurance policy of your employer, not your personal vehicle policy. A lawyer can help you in determining which insurance companies to contact.
Many drivers choose to include medical payment or "MedPay" in their auto insurance policies in addition to no-fault coverage. The insurance will cover driver's medical costs up to the policy limit. The coverage is not deductible and doesn't affect premiums for health insurance. It is recommended to make use of this insurance to pay medical bills, since the amount of medical expense will be added to the settlement in the event you settle your car accident claim.
It is also vital to keep accurate records of all the medical expenses that are incurred as a result of your accident. You or your lawyer must send the documents to insurance companies. This will help you prove how much the at-fault party should be required to compensate you for the injuries-related expenses.
After a favorable settlement has been reached after which the insurance company has a legal right to be compensated for any amount they have paid on your behalf. This is referred to as subrogation and is a legal process. For example, let's say that John is injured in an
accident lawsuit and builds up $20,000 worth of medical bills. He sends these to his health insurance company, which will pay them and then discount them. The attorney collects the undiscounted amount from the party at fault as part of his settlement.
Property damaged
Damage claims for property include the loss of or damage to personal or business property. A person who is injured in a car
accident lawsuit, for instance, could make a claim to cover the cost of repair or replacement of their damaged vehicle. The insurance company of the driver at fault will reimburse the victim's expenses less the deductible. This type of payment includes reimbursement for depreciation on the vehicle.
The type of property damage covered by a policy depends on its coverage limits, deductible and other terms and conditions. It is recommended to read the policy to know what types of damage are covered and the coverage limits. In addition, making a property damage claim can affect the future rates and premiums particularly if you have to make several claims in a short period of time.
When filing a property damage claim, it is essential to have all relevant information including the date of loss, a copy of the police report, and receipts for items damaged or lost. It is also beneficial to have a certified estimate of repairs or replacement.
Once a claim has been filed an adjuster is sent by the insurance company to evaluate the damage. It is recommended to be present during the inspection, so you can identify what has been damaged or lost and also answer any questions.
Most insurance policies provide coverage for property damage liability. This type of coverage is used to pay for damage to vehicles of other people, personal property, and structures. It does not protect the vehicle or the belongings of a victim.
If you are filing a property-damage claim, it's essential to respond quickly. If you put off filing a claim for too long, the insurance company might consider that the
accident could have been avoided and be less willing to settle your claim. Contact a lawyer representing victims of car accidents prior to accepting any offer from the insurer to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your losses. They can help you determine your total damages, including the value of the reduced resale of your repaired car.
Loss of wages
If an injury stops you from earning a steady salary and working, you are entitled to compensation for lost earnings. The easiest way to calculate this is by simply looking at the amount of time that you are absent from work or in more complex situations, a doctor may give you a value for your injury that is determined by the loss of future earnings.
To prove the loss of wages, you first need to get a medical certificate which clearly outlines the injuries and the limitations on your ability to do your job. This letter should be reviewed regularly as your condition improves or gets worse.
The next step is to collect all your pay slips, as well as other wage-related documents. Your attorney can assist you with this process. You'll also have to submit any financial documents such as profit-and-loss statements and receipts, invoices and bank statements. The more information that you can provide to back your claim, the more accurate.
In addition to your actual lost wages, you must also include all other compensation or benefits you would have received had you had the opportunity to work. This includes bonuses for pay and the use of a company vehicle or golf cart, and other perks not usually a part of your regular salary.
It is important to record any expenses you incurred as a result of your injuries for example, hiring someone else to help with household chores. This is an important part of your claim because it shows how the accident has affected you in more ways than one.
In some accidents the injuries you sustain are so severe that they will keep you from returning to your previous job. This is referred to as permanent impairment. It can be included in your damages award. This is a type that is not economic of damage that is meant to ensure that you are compensated for your accident. If you were injured in an accident in Houston and are incapable of working it is recommended that you contact an experienced lawyer to assist in filing an claim.
Pain and suffering
Accidents can cause a lot of discomfort for the victim. This pain and suffering may not be quantifiable like the cost of medical treatment or lost wages, but it could lead to a settlement for an accident claim. Pain and suffering refers to physical or mental distress which a victim suffers as the aftermath of an injury that was caused by negligence of another. It includes a wide range of damages including emotional trauma and loss of enjoyment.
The physical pain that results with a personal injury can last for weeks, days or even months. Traumas that cause mental trauma can be extremely severe and cause permanent damage. These damages are known as general damages and cannot be easily assessed using a number or a document because they are not tangible.
Insurance companies use different methods of calculating the amount of suffering and pain. They can either give a dollar amount for each day of pain, or use the per-diem method.