Tips For Filing a Car Accident Claim

In states that have not adopted no-fault insurance, you might have to sue the other driver in a small claims court. Before taking this action you should speak with an experienced auto accident lawsuit attorney.

The insurance company of the other party will examine your claim to determine liability for the collision and pay compensation for Auto Accident Law Firms your injuries, car damage and losses such as pain and suffering. The process usually involves the following steps.

Gathering Information

If you're able do so at the site of the collision while it is still safe, take pictures of all the vehicles involved in the crash including the damage and any injuries incurred. These photos can be used to prove that the Auto accident Law Firms happened in the manner you described. Photograph the site of the auto accident lawsuits, including any skidmarks, debris or skid marks.

If you can, it is important to obtain the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses. They might later be able to testify as to what transpired and who was responsible. In certain instances, eyewitness testimony can be the most valuable evidence in a case.

Get the insurance information of all those involved in the crash. You will need to know the name of the insurance company along with the policy number and contact details along with the license plate number and driver's name. This information should be gathered immediately to avoid any confusion or disputes later.

Documentation of medical expenses and treatments can be extremely valuable in a claim. Keep receipts for prescription medicines as well as other expenses caused by the accident. This could help support the damages you claim. Also, if not able to work due to your injuries, it's essential to keep an eye on your lost wages.

Filing the Claim

If you are able to file a claim it's recommended to submit your claim as quickly as possible following the incident. This allows the insurance company to examine your documents and get to work. This ensures that you're in compliance with the New York law deadlines for filing your claim.

When filing an insurance claim for a car when filing a claim, you'll need details about the accident and any injuries you sustained as a result. This information is used to calculate damages, including reimbursement for medical expenses, lost wages, damage to property and discomfort and pain.

If required the insurance company must to determine who is to blame. It can be helpful to have the final police report for this purpose. It is important to keep in mind that determining the fault is not always an easy task. Even if you believe that the accident was your fault in some circumstances, other factors could have contributed. New York, for example is a state in which there has a comparative negligence system, meaning your damages are reduced according to the proportion of your fault.

The insurance company will assign an adjuster to your case. You should bring your lawyer with you when you meet with the adjuster. They can offer a neutral perspective and help you negotiate a fair settlement. If you're unable to negotiate a satisfactory settlement, it might be necessary to go to trial to receive the compensation you deserve.

Inspecting Damages

The insurance company will want to visit the scene of the crash to observe the accident for themselves. They will probably interview you and any other participants in the accident, talk to eyewitnesses and look at your vehicles. They will also look over your medical records, expenses, and lost wages to gain a better understanding of the effect that the accident had on you.

While you wait for the police to arrive at the scene You can take photos with your cell phone. This will allow you to record the skid marks and damage on both vehicles and also the exact location of the cars.

During this time it is recommended to make sure to exchange contact information and insurance details with the other drivers involved in the accident, if safe to do so. Note down each person's name address, phone number, address and insurance company, policy numbers, and driver's license information. Also note the vehicle make year, year and license plate number.

It's tempting to point fingers at another driver in the midst of a crisis but this could be a backfire. Keep your cool and don't admit fault or guilt. If possible, it's a good idea to also collect the names and Auto Accident Law Firms contact numbers of any eyewitnesses that witnessed the collision.

Negotiating the Settlement

Settlement negotiations for a car accident is difficult, especially if you have to deal with expenses for medical treatment and lost income. Fortunately it is possible to speeded up by hiring a skilled lawyer to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. An attorney will have a greater understanding of the law and the best way to calculate your total damages and losses and what you can expect from an insurance company in settlement negotiations.

The first step in the settlement process is to prepare an official demand letter that outlines your request for the amount that you need to pay for your injuries and expenses. Your lawyer can help you in compiling this information, and also include any other relevant documentation that supports the request. If you provided photos of your car or other injuries which were particularly serious to the insurance adjuster, your lawyer would make mention of them during negotiations. Your attorney will also remind the adjuster about your pain and suffering damages. These are based on the emotional stress and mental agony you have suffered as a result of the accident.

If you engage an attorney to negotiate the settlement on your behalf insurance companies will treat your claim with greater care and generally offer higher settlements. If the insurance company refuses to provide an acceptable settlement, your lawyer will make a claim and represent you in court.