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. Before you do this you should speak with an experienced accident attorney.

The insurance company for the other party will examine your claim to determine the liability for the collision and pay compensation for your injuries, car damage, and other losses, including pain and suffering. The process usually involves the following steps.

Gathering Information

Photograph the vehicles involved in the accident. Include any damage and injuries. These photos will help show that the accident took place as you described. Photograph the accident site, including any skidmarks, debris or skid marks.

If possible, it's important to obtain the names, addresses and phone numbers from eyewitnesses. They may be able witness later in the case about the circumstances of the accident and who was responsible. In some cases eyewitness testimony is the most important evidence in the case.

Note down the insurance details of all parties involved. You'll need to know the name of the insurance company and the policy number and the contact information along with the license plate number and driver's name. It is important to get this information as soon as possible could prevent any confusion or disputes later.

Documentation of medical treatment and expenses could be useful to any claim. Keeping receipts for prescription pain medications and other expenses incurred as a result of the crash could be helpful in proving the damages that are claimed in the claim. If you are in a position of being unable to work because of injuries, it's essential to keep the track of your wages lost.

Filing the Claim

It's best to file a claim as soon following the accident as if you can. This allows the insurer to review your paperwork and begin working. It will also ensure that your claim is in compliance with the deadlines stipulated by New York law.

When you file an insurance claim for your car it is necessary to provide details of the incident and any injuries you sustained as a result. This information will be used to calculate your damages, which may include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and the suffering.

If necessary the insurance company must to determine who is the culprit. The final police report could be useful for this. It is essential to keep in mind that determining who is to blame isn't always a simple task. In some instances, even if you think the accident was your fault other factors could have contributed to it. New York, for example, is a state that has a comparative negligence system, which means that the amount of damages you incur is reduced by the proportion of your fault.

The insurance company will assign an adjuster to your case. It is recommended to bring your lawyer with you during your conversation with the adjuster. They'll give you an objective perspective and help you negotiate a fair settlement. If you're not able to come to a settlement that is acceptable, you may have be in court to get the money you are entitled to.

Inspecting Damages

They'll want to go to the scene of the crash to see the scene for themselves. They will likely interview you and any other parties who were involved in the collision, speak to eyewitnesses, and examine your vehicle. They will also scrutinize your medical records, expense reports, and lost wages in order to gain a better understanding of the impact that the auto accident lawsuit had on you.

While you wait for the police to arrive, snap photographs with your mobile phone. This will help you document skid marks, locations of both cars, the degree of damage, as well as the presence of any obstructions.

In this period it is recommended to share contact and insurance information with other drivers involved in the accident, if safe to do so. Note down each person's name and address, along with the telephone number and insurance company, policy numbers and driver's licence information. Note the vehicle's make year, make and license plate.

It may be tempting to blame another driver in the midst of a crisis, but this can backfire. Keep your cool and don't admit fault or guilt. It is also a good idea to gather the names and phone numbers of witnesses to the accident, if it is possible.

Negotiating the Settlement

Negotiating a settlement in the event of an Auto accident law firm accident can be stressful, particularly when you have to deal with expenses for medical treatment and lost income. Fortunately the process can be speeded by hiring an experienced lawyer to manage all negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf. An attorney will be able to better comprehend the law, calculate the total amount of damages you have suffered and also know what to expect during settlement negotiations from an insurance company.

The first step is to compose a letter of demand that includes the amount you require to cover your expenses and injuries. Your lawyer can help you in compiling the information, and include any relevant documents that support your demand. If you have sent pictures of your vehicle or any injuries that were particularly severe to the insurance adjuster, your lawyer would include them in negotiations. Your attorney will remind the adjuster of your pain and suffering damages. These are based on the emotional stress and mental agony that you've experienced because of the accident.

If you engage a lawyer to negotiate the settlement on your behalf, insurance companies treat claims more seriously and typically offer higher settlements. If the insurance company refuses to provide an equitable settlement, your attorney will bring a lawsuit and fight for you in court.