What Is an Accident Claim? An accident claim is an official demand for compensation from your insurance company following a car accident. Your insurance company will determine the cause of the accident using all evidence available, including police reports and witness statements. Taking pictures and documenting the scene is helpful in preventing your claim from being reduced to your word against the other driver's. Other evidences could include: Medical bills After an car accident, victims are often faced with large amount of medical bills. This can be a source of stress. Victims may not know who is responsible for paying their medical bills and how they will be able to make ends meet. There are many options to get your medical bills covered after an accident. If you've suffered injuries in an accident in your car the no-fault insurance provider will pay for the first medical bills up to $50,000 per person. You must submit a claim to no-fault insurance within one year after the accident. You will lose the ability to pay these charges if you don't. https://vimeo.com/709553960 must also submit your claim to a appropriate insurance company. If you were at work when you had an accident, your employer's insurance policy will cover the no-fault coverage, not your own vehicle policy. A lawyer can assist you identify the appropriate insurance company to contact. Many drivers choose to include medical payments or "MedPay" in their auto insurance policies together with no-fault insurance. This insurance will pay for the driver's medical costs up to the limit of the policy. This coverage does not have any deductible, and it does not impact health insurance premiums. The insurance can be used to cover medical costs. The amount of medical expense is added to the settlement when your car accident claim is settled. Keep a careful note of all medical expenses that are associated with your accident. You or your lawyer will need to submit all the necessary documentation to insurance companies. This will assist you in prove the amount of compensation you are entitled to from the responsible party for your injury-related costs. Once a favorable settlement is reached the insurance company will have a contractual right to reimburse any amount they have paid on your behalf. This is referred to as subrogation and is a legal process. Let's say, for instance that John is injured in an accident and accumulates $20,000 in medical bills. He forwards the bills to his health insurance which pays and discounts the amount. His attorney collects the amount not discounted from the person at fault as part of the settlement. Property Damage Damage or loss to commercial or personal property is covered by the property damage claim. For instance, a car accident victim may make a claim to pay repair or replacement costs for their vehicle damaged. The insurance company of the driver at fault will reimburse the victim's expense with the exception of the deductible. This kind of compensation also includes reimbursement for depreciation of the vehicle. The type of property damage covered by a particular policy is contingent on the coverage limits, deductible, and other terms and conditions. Review the policy to determine what kinds of damages are covered and their limits. In addition, making an insurance claim for property damage can affect future premiums and rates especially if you file several claims in a short period of time. When filing a property damage claim, it is important to have all pertinent information, including the date of loss, a copy the police report and receipts for items that have been damaged or stolen. It is also helpful to have a certified estimate of the cost of repairs or replacement. When a claim is made, an adjuster will be contacted by the insurer to examine the damage. It is usually best to be present during the inspection so you can demonstrate to the adjuster what you have damaged or lost and then answer any questions. Most insurance policies provide coverage for property damage liability. This type of coverage is used to pay for damages to vehicles owned by other people or personal property as well as structures. It does not protect the vehicle or the belongings of a victim. It is crucial to make a claim for property damage as soon as is possible. If you delay too long, the insurance company might consider that the accident could have been prevented and be less likely to pay your claim. Contact a lawyer representing victims of car accidents prior to accepting any offer from the insurance company to ensure you receive the most compensation for your losses. They can assist you in calculating the total value of your losses, including those relating to the diminished value of resales for your repaired vehicle. Loss of wages If your injuries stop you from working and bringing in steady income, you should be compensated for lost wages. You can determine this by calculating the length of time you have missed from work. In more complex situations medical professionals can provide you with an estimate of your future earnings. The first step to prove lost wages is to obtain a letter from your doctor which outlines clearly your injuries as well as the kind of restrictions you are facing on your ability to work. This letter should be updated as your condition improves. You will then need to collect all your pay slips and other wage-related documents. Your lawyer can assist you with this process. You will also need 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. You should also include any other benefits or compensation that you would have received if you were capable of working. This includes pay bonuses or the use of a business golf cart or vehicle, and other perks not normally associated with your regular salary. Include any expenses you incurred due to your injuries such as hiring a third party to assist with household chores. This is an important part of your claim because it shows that the accident is more than your physical health. In certain accidents the injuries sustained are so severe that they will keep you from returning to work. This is known as permanent impairment. It can be included in your damages award. This is a non-economic kind of damage which is intended to provide you with a full recovery following your accident. If you've been injured in a vehicle crash in Houston and are in a position to work, you should contact an experienced attorney to assist in filing claims. Pain and suffering Accidents can cause a lot of pain for the victim. The damage isn't quantifiable as medical expenses or lost earnings, but it is still able to be granted in a claim for injury. The term "pain and suffering" refers to the mental or physical discomfort which a victim suffers as the aftermath of an injury triggered by another person's negligence. It includes a wide range of damages that include emotional trauma as well as loss of enjoyment. The physical discomfort that comes from an injury can last for weeks, days, even months. Mental anguish caused by injuries can be severe and can cause permanent damage. These damages are referred to as general damages and are not easily determined using an identifier or a document because they are not tangible. Insurance companies use different methods to determine pain, suffering and damages. They may give a dollar value to every day of suffering, or they may use the per diem method. In the former case you will receive a specific amount of money is paid each day that you've been in pain after an accident. The amount you are awarded will depend on the severity of the injury. Most times, the best way to support your claims of suffering and pain is to obtain eyewitness testimony. This is especially beneficial when the witness is close to your family members, for example, a spouse or significant other who can describe the effects of your injuries your daily life. The written statements of friends and family can also provide proof that the impact of an injury. They can detail the changes that have taken place since the accident, and help to prove that your injuries are enough to warrant compensation. It's not easy to put a dollar value on subjective harms like pain and suffering, but an experienced lawyer can assist you in obtaining the full amount that you are entitled to. An attorney can gather all the relevant evidence to support your case and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.