What Is an Accident Claim? An accident claim is a formal request for reimbursement from your insurance company following a car crash. Your insurance provider will determine fault based upon all evidence available that includes police reports and witnesses. Documenting the scene and taking photos will help you avoid your claim being reduced to just your word against the words of the other driver. Other pieces of evidence include: Medical bills After an accident, car accident victims are often faced with a large amount of medical bills. This can be stressful and overwhelming. Victims might not know who pays their medical expenses or how they'll be able to make enough money to live. Fortunately, there are several ways to get your medical bills covered after an accident. If you are injured in an auto accident, your no fault insurance company will pay the first medical expenses of up to $50,000 per person. You must submit a claim for no-fault insurance within one year after the accident. If you do not then you'll lose your chance to get these bills paid. It is also essential to report your claim to the correct insurance company. If you were at work when you were involved in an accident the insurance policy of your employer will cover the no-fault coverage, not your own vehicle policy. An attorney can assist you in determining which insurance companies to call. Many drivers opt to include medical payments or "MedPay" in their auto insurance policies, in addition to no-fault coverage. This insurance will cover a driver's medical expenses to the limits of the policy. This coverage does not have an deductible and will not affect health insurance premiums. This insurance can be used to cover medical costs. The amount of medical expense is added to the settlement if your car accident claim is settled. Keep a detailed record of all medical costs associated with your accident. You or your lawyer will need to submit the documents to insurance companies. This will help you establish the amount that the party at fault is required to reimburse you for the injuries-related expenses. Once a favorable settlement has been reached, the insurance company has a legal right to be reimbursed for any money they have paid on your behalf. Subrogation is a legal process. Let's suppose, for instance that John is injured in an accident and accumulates $20,000 in medical bills. John then transfers these funds to his health insurance, which covers them and discounts the amount. His attorney collects the amount not discounted from the at-fault party as part of the settlement. Property Damage Damage to property claims are the loss or damage to personal or business property. For instance, a motorist accident victim could submit a claim for the cost of repair or replacement for their vehicle damaged. The insurance company of the driver who was at fault will pay the victim's costs, minus the deductible. This kind of compensation also includes reimbursement for depreciation on the vehicle. The type of damage covered by an insurance policy is contingent upon the coverage limits, deductibles and other terms and condition. It is recommended that you read the policy to understand what types of damage are covered and the limits of those coverages. A claim for damage to property could also affect future rates and premiums especially if it is an ongoing claim. In https://vimeo.com/709565070 of filing a property damage claim, it is important to have all pertinent information including the date of loss, a copy of the police report, and receipts for items that were damaged or lost. It is also beneficial to have a certified estimation of the cost of repair or replacement. Once the claim is submitted after the claim is filed, the insurer will send an adjuster to assess the damage. It is recommended to be present during the inspection so that you can document what was damaged or lost and answer any questions. The majority of insurance policies offer the property damage liability insurance. This type of coverage helps cover the cost of damage to other people's vehicles, personal property and structures, but it doesn't typically include coverage for the crash victim's own vehicles or belongings. When you file a property damage claim, it's essential to take action quickly. If you are waiting too long in the meantime, the insurance company could suspect that the accident could have been prevented and be less likely to pay your claim. You should also speak with an attorney who has experience in car accidents prior to accepting an offer from an insurance company to ensure you receive the maximum amount possible for your losses. They can help you calculate your total damages, including the value of the less expensive resale of your repaired car. Lost wages If your injuries prevent you from working and earning a steady income, you should be compensated for lost earnings. The easiest way to calculate this is to simply look at the amount of time you're absent from work, or in more complicated cases a medical professional may give you a fair value for your injury determined by the potential loss of future earnings. The first step to prove lost wages is to obtain an official letter from your doctor that clearly outlines your injuries and the types of limitations you have on your ability to work. The letter should be reviewed as your condition improves. You'll need to gather all pay slips and other wage-related documents. You can seek assistance from your attorney on this procedure. You'll also have to provide any financial documents such as profit and loss statements and receipts, invoices and bank statements. The more data you have to support your claim the more convincing. In addition to the actual loss of wages, you should also consider all other compensation or benefits you would have received had you had the opportunity to work. Included in this are pay-bonuses, the use of a golf cart or company vehicle, as well as any other benefits that are not normally associated with your regular wage. You should also include any costs you incur as a result of your injuries such as hiring someone else to take care of household chores. This is a crucial part of your claim as it shows how the accident has affected you in many ways. In certain accidents your injuries can be so severe that they keep you from returning to work. This is known as permanent impairment and can be included in the damages award. It's a type of non-economic injury that is intended to ensure that you are completely again following the accident. If you've been injured in a car accident in Houston and are disabled from working, contact an experienced attorney for help with filing an insurance claim. Suffering and pain Accidents can cause a lot of discomfort for the victim. The damage may not be quantifiable like the cost of medical treatment or lost wages, however it could result in the settlement of an accident claim. The victim could experience physical or mental pain as a result the injury. It covers a range of damages that can't be easily determined using invoices and receipts such as emotional trauma or a loss of enjoyment life. The physical discomfort that is associated with personal injuries can last for days, weeks, months, or even years. Mental anguish caused by injuries may be extreme and can cause permanent damage. These damages are called general damages. They are not easily assessed using a number or a document because they are not tangible. Insurance companies employ different methods to calculate the amount of pain, suffering and damages. They can either give a dollar amount for each day of pain, or employ the per-diem method. In the former case you will receive a specific amount of money is given for each day that you've suffered pain following an accident. The exact amount of money you receive is based on the severity of your injury. The most effective method to support your claims of suffering and pain is to obtain eyewitness testimony. This is especially helpful when the witness is close to your family members, like a spouse or significant other who can describe the effects of your injuries on your daily life. The written declarations of relatives and friends can also provide proof of the effects of an injury. They can be used to describe the changes in your life that have taken place since the accident and help you prove that your injuries were enough to warrant compensation. It's not simple to put a dollar value on subjective damage such as suffering and pain, but an experienced lawyer can assist you in obtaining the full amount that you are entitled. An attorney can gather all the relevant evidence needed to support your case and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.