What Is an Accident Claim?
An accident claim is a formal demand for compensation from your insurance provider after an accident. Your insurance provider will determine fault based upon all the available evidence including police reports and witnesses.
Documenting the scene and taking photos will help you to avoid your claim being reduced to your word against that of the other driver. Other evidence pieces include:
Medical bills
Car accident victims frequently find themselves confronting a lot of medical bills after an accident. This can be overwhelming and stressful. Victims may not know who pays for their medical bills or how they'll be able to make enough money to live. There are several ways you can cover your medical expenses after a car accident.
If you've been injured as a result of an automobile accident the no-fault insurance provider will pay for the first medical bills up to $50,000 per person. You must submit an insurance claim for no-fault within one year of the accident. If you don't do this, you will lose your possibility of having these bills paid. It is also important to report your claim to the proper insurance company. For example, if you were on the job and you were involved in an accident, the no-fault protection will be provided by the auto insurance policy of your employer not your personal auto policy. An attorney can help you identify the best insurance companies to contact.
Many drivers opt to include medical payment or "MedPay" in their auto insurance policies as well as no-fault protection. The insurance will cover medical expenses of the driver up to the policy limit. It doesn't have a deductible and doesn't affect the cost of health insurance. It is a good idea to take advantage of this insurance to cover medical bills, since the amount of medical expense will be added to your settlement when you settle your car accident claim.
Keep a meticulous record of all medical costs associated with your accident. It is up to you or your lawyer to provide this documentation to the appropriate insurance companies. This will help you establish how much the at-fault party is required to pay you for your injury-related expenses.
After a favorable settlement is reached after which the insurance company will have a contractual right to receive a reimbursement for any money they have paid on your behalf. This is known as subrogation and is a legal process. Let's suppose, for instance, that John is injured in an accident and accumulates $20,000 in medical bills. He then sends them to his health insurance that pays and discounts the bills. His attorney then gets the discounted amount from the party at fault as part of his settlement.
Property damage
Loss or damage to business or personal property is covered by the property damage claim. A car accident victim, for instance, could make a claim to cover the cost of repair or replacement of their damaged vehicle. The insurance company of the person who caused the accident will reimburse the victim's expenses less the deductible. This type of payment includes reimbursement for depreciation of the vehicle.
The kind of property damage that is covered by the policy is based on its coverage limits, deductible, and other terms and conditions. It is best to review the policy to understand the types of damage covered and the limits of those coverages. Making a claim for property damage can affect the rates and premiums in the future, particularly if it is frequently claimed.
It is important to provide all relevant information when making a claim for property damage, which includes the date, the police report, and the receipts of any items that were damaged or lost. It is also beneficial to have a certified estimate for repair costs or replacement.
When a claim is submitted an adjuster is sent by the insurer to evaluate the damage. It is generally recommended to be present during the inspection so you can explain to the adjuster what was damaged or lost and then answer any questions.
Most insurance policies include a form of property damage liability insurance. This type of coverage is used to pay for damages to vehicles of other people or personal property as well as structures. It does not cover the vehicle or belongings of the victim.
It's important to make a claim on property damage as soon as possible. If you delay too long, the insurance company may think that the incident was unavoidable and is less likely to pay the claim. You should also speak with a car
accident lawyer before accepting an offer from the insurance company to ensure that you receive the best amount you are entitled to for your losses. They can assist you in calculating the total value of your losses, including ones related to the reduced resale value of your repaired vehicle.
Lost wages
If your injury prevents you from earning a steady income while working, you are entitled to compensation for the loss of wages. You can determine this by calculating the amount of time you were absent from work. In more complex situations, a medical professional will give you an estimate based on your potential future earnings.
The first step to prove lost wages is to obtain a doctor's note which outlines clearly your injuries and what kind of limitations you have on your ability to work. This letter should be updated when your condition changes.
Next, you will need to collect all of your pay slips and other related documents regarding wages. You can seek assistance from an attorney in this process. You'll also need submit any financial documents such as profit-and-loss statements receipts, invoices, invoices and bank statements. The more information that you are able to provide in support of your claim the more convincing.
It is also important to include any other compensation or benefits you could have received if you were in a position to work. Included in this list are pay bonuses, the use of a golf cart or company vehicle, and any other benefits not typically a part of your regular salary.
Lastly, you should include any costs you had to incur because of your injuries that resulted in missed work, such as hiring someone to handle household chores for you. This is an important part of your claim because it shows that the accident has impacted more than just your physical health.
In some accidents the injuries you sustain are so severe that they prevent you from ever returning to work. This is known as permanent impairment, and could be included in the damages award. This is a non-economic kind of injury that is intended to compensate you for your accident. If you've been injured in a car accident in Houston and are unable to work, contact an experienced attorney for help in filing an insurance claim.
Suffering and pain
Accidents can cause a lot of pain for the victim. This pain and suffering may not be quantifiable as the expense of medical care or lost wages, but it can still result in the settlement of an accident claim. The victim could experience physical or mental pain due to the injury. It covers a wide range of damages that cannot be easily quantified using invoices and receipts such as emotional trauma or loss of enjoyment of life.
The physical pain that results from an injury can last for days, weeks or even months. Traumas that cause mental stress can be very severe and could cause permanent damage. These are also known as general damages, and they can't be measured by a number or document because they are not tangible.
Insurance companies use different methods to quantify the pain and suffering. They can assign a dollar amount to each day of suffering, or they could use the per diem method. In the former case you are compensated an amount of money for every day that you suffered pain as a result of an accident.