You must file an insurance claim when you’ve been in a car accident that wasn’t your fault. This is an essential step in gaining justice for your injuries and damages in the form of compensation.
However, filing an insurance claim can be a complicated process, and it’s easy to get confused or overwhelmed. With proper understanding and preparation, it can be more manageable.
Hiring an expert personal injury lawyer or car accident lawyer at the Tucson Accident Law Firm can make a claim for compensation smooth, simple, and stress-free. Let’s take a closer look at how to properly file an insurance claim after a car accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Although not directly related to filing a claim, you must always seek medical attention after an accident. This is the case whether you have clear external injuries or not because you may have internal injuries that you can’t see but require urgent treatment.
As soon as you’re able to after the accident, check your whole body for signs of injuries. Head to your nearest hospital or doctor’s surgery within the first 24 hours after the accident so a qualified healthcare professional can perform the necessary investigations to identify injuries and treat them accordingly.
Notify the Police
In most cases, you’ll need to call the police to the accident scene, especially if you or anybody else involved have sustained injuries or significant property damage. It’s best to call the police in the case of a dispute about who is at fault too.
Having a police report will be crucial when filing your insurance claim, as it provides solid evidence proving that you aren’t at fault. Your insurance provider may ask for this report so they can use it in their investigations, as might your lawyer to present to the judge and jury to support your case.
Seek Legal Help
It’s always best to contact a personal injury lawyer or car accident attorney for professional guidance regarding compensation claims. A lawyer will provide support during the process and can help you gather evidence to support your claim.
If needed, your lawyer will represent you in court to ensure you win the compensation you deserve. They’ll liaise with police and speak with any witnesses to the accident to make your case as strong and persuasive as possible.
Document Everything
As with a police report, your personal documentation will be necessary to fight your case in court and gain compensation for your injuries and damages. It’s important that you take notes of the scene of the incident, including what happened leading up to the accident and what occurred immediately after it.
Note down the other driver’s personal details, including their insurance provider, contact number, and license plate, and the contact details of any witnesses on the scene. It’s also a good idea to take photos of the scene, including images of the positions of the vehicles involved, property damage, road signs, and injuries that you or others have sustained.
With all of the above written and photographic evidence, you can formulate a strong and detailed case that will win you compensation.
Report the Incident to Your Insurer
Contact your insurance company promptly to report the accident and initiate the claims process. From initially filing your claim to receiving compensation, you could be waiting several weeks or even months, so it’s important to start the process as soon as you can.
Be prepared to provide the date, time, and location of the accident, a brief description of what happened, and the names and contact information of the involved parties. Your provider might also ask you to send over any photos you’ve taken, as well as medical records, repair estimates, and any other relevant documentation.
Understand Your Role in the Accident
Even if the other driver is mostly at fault for the accident, you might be partly at fault. Understanding comparative negligence laws is crucial when you’re filing an insurance claim. If you’re found to have played a role (however small) in the accident, your compensation settlement may be reduced.
Speak to your lawyer if you’re unsure how to navigate comparative negligence laws. Your personal injury lawyer can explain complex legal jargon and help maximize your settlement, even if you were partly to blame for the incident. They will also ensure that the compensation you get at the end of the claims process is adequate to cover medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and psychological trauma.
