Tips For Filing a Car Accident Claim

In states without no-fault insurance you may have to sue the driver in a small claims court. You should consider retaining an experienced lawyer for accidents prior to taking this step.

The other party's insurer will examine your claim and determine liability for the collision. They will then award compensation for your injuries and car damages as well as losses such a pain and suffering. The process usually involves the following steps.

Gathering Information

Take photos of the vehicles involved in the accident. Include any injuries and damages. Photographs can be used to prove that the crash took place as you've described. Also, take pictures of the scene, including any skid marks or other debris that are visible.

It is also vital to collect the names, addresses and phone numbers of eyewitnesses, if possible. They could be able testify later as to what caused the accident and who was responsible. In certain instances eyewitness testimony could be the most important evidence in the case.

Take down the insurance information of all those involved in the wreck. You will require the insurance company's name as well as the policy number and contact details, as well as the driver's name and license plate number. These details should be obtained immediately to avoid confusion or disputes later.

Documentation of medical treatment and expenses can be helpful to the claimant as well. Keeping receipts for prescription painkillers and other expenses related to the accident could help support the damages that are claimed in the claim. If you're unable to work due to an injury, you must keep the record of any wages lost.

Claim Form

If you're able to file a claim, it's best to submit your claim as quickly as possible after the accident. This gives the insurer the opportunity to go through all of your documents and then get to work. This will ensure that you meet the New York law deadlines for filing your claim.

If you are filing an insurance claim for your car you'll need to provide details about the accident, as well as any injuries you sustained due to it. This information will be used to calculate your damages, which could include reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

If needed the insurance company will have to determine who is to blame. The final police report can be helpful for this. It is essential to remember that determining the cause of the crash is not always an easy task. Even if you believe the accident was your fault in certain instances, other factors could have contributed. New York, for example is a state in which there has a comparative negligence system, which means that your damages are diminished by the proportion of your fault.

The insurance company will assign an adjuster to your case. You should bring your attorney with you when you speak to the adjuster. They can provide a neutral perspective and help you to negotiate an acceptable settlement. If you are unable to find a solution that is satisfactory, you may have to take your case to court to get the money that you are entitled to.

Inspecting the damages

They will be keen to visit the accident scene to see , if you sent the insurance adjuster photos of your car and injuries that were particularly strong your lawyer will make mention of the photos during negotiations. Your attorney will also remind the adjuster about the damages you suffered due to pain and suffering. These are based on the emotional stress and mental agony that you've suffered due to the accident.

If you engage a lawyer to negotiate a settlement on behalf of you, insurance companies treat claims much more seriously and generally offer higher settlements. Your lawyer will file a suit if the insurance company does not agree to a fair settlement.