See What Auto Accident Lawyer Tricks The Celebs Are Utilizing
How to File an Auto Accident Claim
In states that have no-fault insurance, the insurer will pay for medical costs and lost wages regardless of who's responsible for the accident. They'll also want to gather evidence and examine documents (photos witnesses' testimony, photos medical records, photos, and expense reports).
The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the amount of expenses. This article will walk you through the steps of filing an auto Accident lawyer accident claim.
Report the Accident
It's crucial to notify a car crash as soon as possible. In many states, this will be done by the local police or county sheriffs, state police, or Department of Motor Vehicles.
If you are able, take photographs of the crash scene. This can help you remember what happened, and it could be useful for your insurance claim. Photos can be used to show specifics like skid marks, damage to your vehicle weather conditions, skid marks and other important details.
It is also important to obtain the information of the other driver, for instance their name, insurance provider and even their address. If you can, also request a copy of their driver's license and car registration.
It is important to note down the things you observed, and the events that occurred. If you fail to record what happened, you could be held accountable for any injuries or damages that are later discovered. Additionally, if you fail to report the incident the insurance company could not cover any damages that result from it. Check your policy or contact your agent to inquire whether you are required to file an accident report.
Seek medical attention
One of the first things you need do following a car accident is seek medical attention to be assessed for injuries. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible can help you avoid any future complications and can increase your claim when it's time to negotiate with the insurance company.
If you can, it is best to visit a hospital emergency room after an accident. Hospitals have access top-quality surgeons, doctors and medical equipment. Insurance companies and defense lawyers might have a difficult time trying to limit the amount of injuries that can be treated in a hospital.
Car accidents can result in injuries that range from minor bruising, to severe internal injuries such as paralysis or brain injury after a traumatic accident. Even if some symptoms, such as stiffness and pain don't manifest right away it's essential to visit a doctor. These records will be essential in proving that you have suffered injuries resulting from the crash.
Our Denver car accident lawyers will use these medical records to build a strong case showing that the at-fault driver's actions caused your injuries, and that you deserve an adequate amount of compensation for the damages you sustained.
Take Pictures
Photograph the scene of the accident as soon as you can, and ideally before police arrive. If possible, photograph all the damage to the vehicle from different vantage points. If you're able, snap photos of the vehicle in close-ups as well as other evidence (such broken glasses or airbags that have been deployed). If you're unable to get close-ups, consider placing objects, like coins, in the photo to show scale. It's also beneficial to capture photos using and without flash since different lighting conditions might reveal the hidden details.
You should also take pictures of any injuries that you sustained during the accident. The photographs will be useful evidence later on. Bruises and cuts will fade with time. It is also important to capture as many other pertinent details of the incident as you can (such as traffic signals, street signs and weather conditions, as well road debris), as these can aid in constructing a more precise picture of what transpired.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contacting your insurance company is important regardless of whether or not you intend to file a claim for an auto accident. You may be required to file a claim according to your policy, however even if not the case, your lawyer will need documents detailing your losses to back up your claim (such as repairs and medical bills).
Apart from obtaining your car's information and identifying the other drivers involved in the crash, you should also collect any other relevant information at the scene, according to Luna. Request to see the insurance card of the driver who was involved in the accident and ensure you have their name and address, telephone number and information about their car insurance (company and policy numbers). If witnesses are present, obtain their names and numbers.
It's essential to remain calm, even while the last thing you would like to do following a car accident is to fight with insurance companies. Any statements you make when you're emotional can be used to your disadvantage later on. It is best to let an attorney manage the negotiations. They can make sure you don't say something that could later be used against you.
Contact an attorney
An experienced attorney can assist you in negotiations with the insurance company to obtain an equitable settlement. They will look over the medical bills and records and will frequently consult with a medical professional to provide an opinion as to the full extent of your injuries. Insurance companies won't offer you fair value in the event that they are not supplied with full and accurate documents.
In addition to pursuing economic losses, which include medical bills and lost wages, you may also be entitled to non-economic damages for suffering and pain. If the other driver was found to have acted with gross negligence or recklessness the court can award additional compensation, which is known as punitive damages.
You will need to inform the police if the person at blame fled the scene. Also, you should get the crash report from the precinct or online. This will be needed to start a lawsuit or file a no-fault lawsuit. New York has very specific laws that govern auto accidents. These laws are best explained by an experienced attorney.