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Tips For Filing a Car Accident Claim

In states that do not have no-fault insurance, you could be required to sue the driver in a small claims court. You should consider hiring an experienced accident lawyer prior to making this decision.

The insurance company of the other party will examine your claim to determine the liability for the collision and provide compensation for your injuries, car damage, and other losses like pain and suffering. The process usually involves the following steps.

Gathering Information

If you are able to do so at the site of the crash, while it is safe and secure, take photographs of all vehicles involved in the accident including the damage as well as any injuries incurred. These photos will help show that the accident took place as you described. Also, take pictures of the accident scene itself and any skid marks or other debris that are present.

It is also essential to get the names, addresses and telephone numbers of eyewitnesses, when possible. They could be later able to testify on what transpired and who was responsible. In some instances, eyewitness testimony is the most valuable evidence in the course of a lawsuit.

Note down the insurance details of all the parties involved. You’ll need to know the name of the insurance company and the policy number and the contact information along with the license plate number and driver’s name. In the event that you can get this information as quickly as you can could avoid conflicts or confusion later.

Documentation of medical bills and treatment could be extremely helpful for a claim. Keep auto accident lawyer ofallon for prescription medicines as well as other expenses related to the accident. This can be used to support the damages you claim. Also, if you are in a position of being unable to work because of your injuries, it’s crucial to keep an eye on your lost wages.


Filing the Claim

It is best to submit a claim as fast after the accident as soon when you are able to. This gives the insurance company the chance to look over all your documents and get to work. This ensures that you meet the New York law deadlines for filing your claim.

You’ll need to provide specifics regarding the incident including any injuries you suffered. The information you provide will be used to calculate your damages which could include reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages property damage, and the suffering.

If needed, the insurance company must to determine who is the culprit. The final police report can be helpful in this regard. It is important to keep in mind that determining fault isn’t always a simple task. Even if you believe the crash was your fault in certain cases, other factors may have contributed. New York, for example is a state in which there has a relative negligence system, which means your damages are reduced by the proportion of your fault.

The insurance company will assign an adjuster to your case. You should bring your attorney present when you meet with the adjuster. They’ll be able to provide an objective perspective and help you negotiate an acceptable settlement. If you cannot reach a satisfactory settlement, it may be necessary to go to court to receive the compensation you’re due.

Inspecting for Damages

They will like to visit the accident scene to see for themselves. They may interview you as well as other people involved in the accident, talk to witnesses and inspect your vehicles. They will also look over your medical records, your expenses, and lost wages in order to obtain a more precise picture of the accident’s impact on you.

While you wait for police to arrive Take pictures using your mobile phone. This will help document skid marks as well as the location of both vehicles and the severity of damage, and the presence of any obstructions.

In this instance you should exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers in the accident, if safe to do so. Jot down each person’s name and address, along with the telephone number and insurance company, policy numbers and driver’s license information. Note the vehicle’s model year, make and license plate number.

In the heat of the situation, it can be tempting to point the finger at the other driver. However, this can backfire. Angerful remarks can be used against you in court, so keep your cool and do not admit to any fault or guilt at the scene of the incident. If possible, it’s a good idea also to collect the names and contact numbers of any eyewitnesses that witnessed the collision.

Negotiating the Settlement

Settlement negotiations for an accident in the car can be stressful, particularly when you have to deal with medical bills and loss of income. Fortunately the process can be expedited by hiring an experienced lawyer to negotiate all negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf. An lawyer will have a better knowledge of the law and the method of calculating your total losses and damages and what to expect from an insurance company during settlement negotiations.

The first step is to write a letter of demand that includes the amount you want to cover your expenses and injuries. Your attorney can help you to compile this information and include any other relevant documents to support your request. If you submitted photos of your vehicle or any injuries which were particularly serious to the insurance adjuster, your lawyer will mention them during negotiations. Your attorney will also remind the adjuster about your pain and suffering damages. These are based on emotional distress and mental agony that you’ve endured as a result of the collision.

If you employ an attorney to negotiate a settlement on your behalf insurance companies take claims much more seriously and generally offer higher settlements. Your lawyer can start a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.