How to File an Accident Claim You should provide as much information regarding the incident as you are able to your insurer and agent. This will help you receive the compensation you deserve. If your insurance company determines that it is not possible to fix your vehicle, he or she could decide to reimburse you for the value in cash of your vehicle. 1. Contact the police If you don't have a policy on your vehicle that expressly prohibits you from calling police in accidents in which case you must not hesitate to report any car accidents. Even if there is only minor damage the police will draft an official accident report, which can be helpful in filing an insurance claim or filing an action against the responsible party. The police will conduct an extensive investigation of the scene, talking to all participants (including witnesses) and determining who is responsible. In addition to documenting the physical evidence that is found at the crash site an officer's perspective on what transpired and who is to blame can be extremely valuable when seeking compensation from an insurer or in court. It is possible to make an insurance claim without any police records, but this can make it more difficult to prove negligence or get an equitable settlement. It is essential to contact the cops if you are involved in an accident resulting in injuries. This will not only fulfill your legal duties as well, but also helps to prepare yourself for success in trying to make a claim against other driver. This is an indication that something might be wrong if the other driver won't let you verify their information. Contact the police to make sure all parties are honest and to avoid tempers getting out of hand in a stressful time. When the police arrive, make sure you contact them regarding the specifics of your crash and provide them with the information they want. Your statements could be included in an official police report that could be used against you in the insurance claims process, or even in court. It's also not a good decision to agree not to call the police following an incident that results in injuries. This could be a source of suspicion, and ruin your case. Contact a Bronx injury lawyer if you are unsure about reporting an accident to the police. The law may not oblige you to do it, but your insurance policy almost certainly does. 2. Gather Information As soon as you are in a position to do so, and it is safe and easy begin gathering information about the accident. This can include pictures of the damage to the car as well as license plate numbers, the time of day and weather conditions, as well as road angles. It is also helpful to obtain the name and contact information of any witnesses. Be cautious when you speak. Statements made at an accident scene can come back and haunt you later. The insurance company needs to know who is at fault for the accident. This is typically determined by looking at the state laws that define fault and analyzing the facts. It will be based on reports from all parties involved, including the police and witnesses who were able to come forward. The insurance company will also have to know if there were any injuries triggered by the accident. This is why it's so important to keep medical records and bills, as well as any doctor reports related to the injury. The insurance company might want to have the medical records and doctor's notes reviewed by an independent medical examiner (IME). If your car was damaged during the accident, it's beneficial to have repair estimates. These estimates can help the insurance provider determine the cash value of your car, which will be used to determine the amount they will reimburse you. Damages are usually classified into two categories, special and general. Special damages are those that are easily quantifiable such as medical bills and lost wages. General damages are more difficult to pin down like pain and suffering. In order for a claim to be successful, you will have to prove both types of. This will aid in filing an insurance claim for accidents. You can file a claim by calling your agent, filling out an online claim form or using an app, or talking to one of their representatives over the phone. 3. Contact Your Insurance Company You will be asked by many insurance companies to provide documentation regarding the accident. You will need to provide medical documents, receipts for any expenses that you incurred due to the injury and proof of the loss of income due to time away from work. The insurer will also review your vehicle, as well as the damage caused by an accident. The insurer will use this information to determine the amount of your claim, and then issue a check for compensation. It is essential to tell the facts regarding what happened when you speak to your insurance company. Avoid engaging in a heated discussion with the representative as this can make things worse. You should also be very clear about any injuries that you have sustained, and only share this information after your doctor has confirmed that it is. Depending on where you live, the time limit for reporting an accident to your insurance provider may vary. In New York, a state that is considered to be no-fault, the car insurance will cover up to a certain amount for damages to your vehicle as well as personal injury, regardless of the person who is at fault. It is essential to notify your provider as soon after the accident as soon as is possible. Your insurance agent will usually forward the accident report to the claims department. You will receive a letter to confirm that the claim was received and is being processed. Insurance companies will often give you a timeline for when they anticipate the damage to be repaired or to receive the money for the injury. Ensure that you are aware of these deadlines and adhere to them strictly. It is always a good idea to seek the advice of an attorney if you are unhappy with the result of your case. https://vimeo.com/709511987 can assist you in determining whether an appeal is feasible and assist you in ensuring that your rights are secured. 4. Contact an attorney If you're facing damage to your vehicle, home or other property or with an injury from an accident, you need to make a claim as quickly as possible. This is a requirement of numerous insurance policies. Failure to do so could result in your insurance provider refusing to accept the claim or increasing your premiums. In the majority of cases, insurance companies assign a person, or a team to review your claim. This could include having an adjuster look over the damage on your vehicle. If you decide to go this route, you should take photos and videos to prove the damage. In the next step, you must ensure that you adhere to the deadlines set forth by your insurer or state. If you're not sure of what you should do seek out an attorney who is knowledgeable of the rules and regulations and the policy you have. An experienced lawyer for car accidents can help you determine the type of insurance you are covered under and the amount you may be entitled. Your Slater & Zurz attorney will also have experience with insurance settlement negotiations and will be aware of the strategies used by insurance companies in order to cut their payouts, which can save you a significant sum of money. A lawyer can also help you with other areas such as calculating damages, for instance, for pain and suffering. Insurance companies employ complex calculations in order to determine the amount of compensation they'll pay to the person injured who has suffered non-monetary damages. An experienced attorney is well-versed in these methods and any precedents that could be applicable to your case. An experienced lawyer can usually gather all the evidence needed to prove your case, and can file a lawsuit on your behalf against the responsible party to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.