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How to File an Auto Accident Claim

In states that have no fault, your insurance company will cover medical care and lost wages regardless of who was responsible for the incident. They’ll also require you to review documents and gather evidence (photos, witness testimony medical records, and expense reports).

The amount of compensation you receive depends on the severity of your injuries and expenses. This article will guide you through the steps of filing an auto accident claim.

Report the Accident

If you’re involved in a car crash it’s crucial to report the crash away. In several states, you’ll need to do this to the local police department or county sheriff, the state police or Department of Motor Vehicles.

Take pictures of the scene of the accident if you are able to. This can help you recall what happened and can be useful in your insurance claim. Photos are a great way to display details such as skid marks, damage to your vehicle as well as weather conditions and other important information.

You should also get the information of the other driver, including their name, insurance provider and even their address. If possible, you should also ask to see the driver’s licence and vehicle registration.

It is also important to record what you saw and what transpired. Remember, memory is unreliable and if you fail to record what happened it could leave you accountable for damages or injuries that aren’t obvious later. Additionally, if you do not report the accident your insurance company could refuse to pay for any damage that result from it. You can find out whether your policy requires a report of an accident by examining your policy or contact your agent.


Get Medical Attention

After a crash, you should seek medical attention and have your body examined to determine whether there are any injuries. You can stay clear of future complications by seeing the doctor as soon as you can. It can also strengthen your case when you negotiate with the insurer.

If you can, try to visit a emergency room at a hospital after a car crash. Hospitals have access to top-notch surgeons, physicians and medical equipment. It can be challenging for insurance companies and defense lawyers to downplay injuries sustained at a hospital.

Injuries sustained in car accidents could range from bruising and tearing to severe internal injuries, such as brain injuries that are traumatic and even paralysis. Even if symptoms, like pain and stiffness, don’t appear immediately it is important to visit a doctor. These records will be essential in proving that you’ve sustained injuries in connection with the crash.

Our Denver car accident attorneys will make use of these records to build a solid case that the actions of the driver at fault caused your injuries and that you should be awarded fair damages for your injuries.

Take Photos

Photograph the accident site as soon as you can, and ideally before police arrive. If you are able, capture all the damage to each vehicle from different vantage points. If you can, take close-up photos of vehicles and other evidence (such shattered glasses or airbags deployed). If you are unable to capture close-ups, you can try placing an object, like a coin, in the image to gauge. It’s also helpful to take photos with and without flash because different lighting conditions can reveal some hidden details.

It is also an excellent idea to take pictures of the injuries you sustained during the accident. The photographs will be useful evidence later on. Bruises and cuts will fade over time. In addition, it’s recommended to take pictures of as many other pertinent details of the incident as you can (such as road signs, traffic lights or weather conditions, as well as road debris) because these details could aid in creating a more detailed picture of what transpired.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Contacting your insurance company is important regardless of whether or not you are planning to file a claim in the event of a car crash. You may be required to file a claim by your policy, but even if you’re not, your attorney will require evidence of your losses to support your claim (such as medical bills and repair expenses).

Apart from obtaining your car’s information and identifying the other drivers involved in the crash Also, you should collect any other relevant information at the scene, says Luna. Inquire about the insurance card of the other driver and make sure you have their name and the address, number, as well as information about their vehicle insurance (company or policy numbers). If there are witnesses, collect their names and numbers.

It’s essential to remain calm even although the last thing you would like to do following an accident is dispute insurance companies. The statements you make when you’re feeling emotional could be used to your disadvantage in the future. auto accident law firm folsom is why it’s recommended to hire an attorney to deal with negotiations. They will be able to make sure that you don’t say something that could later be used against you.

Contact an attorney

A seasoned attorney can assist you in negotiating with the insurance company to negotiate an equitable settlement. They will review the medical bills and records and will frequently consult with a medical professional to provide their opinions on the extent of your injuries. Insurance companies will not give you fair value when they haven’t been given complete and accurate documentation.

In addition to pursuing economic losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, you may be entitled to non-economic damages for pain and suffering. If the other driver was found to have acted with gross inattention or recklessness the court can award additional compensation, referred to as punitive damages.

If the at-fault driver fled the scene, you’ll have to report it to the police. You can also obtain an exact copy of a crash report at the precinct or on the internet. This is required to start a lawsuit or file a no fault case. New York has very specific laws that govern auto accidents. These rules are best explained by an experienced attorney.