There are a lot of claims after car accidents in the United States. The most typical cases are when someone is injured, or they’ve crashed their vehicle, failed to yield, etc. Possibly the biggest misconception about this process is that you have to go through an insurance company. That’s not true! You can file a claim yourself and save yourself time and money by doing it this way instead of waiting for your insurance company to help you out. Here are steps you can follow instead of waiting for your insurance company.
Contact the Police Jurisdiction and File a Police Report
You can file a police report online, or you can take a picture of the damage to both vehicles and then contact the police. The officer can log on to the police department computer for an investigation.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company and inform them of the accident and that you would like to file a claim. Provide the name of the police officer, other driver’s insurance information, damaged vehicle information, etc. Take pictures of all damages before you move your vehicle with your cell phone or camera if you have any damage on your car or truck.
Get Medical Treatment
Getting medical treatment is important if you’ve been hurt, especially more than once. This is because you will file a claim on your own, and your insurance company can use this as proof that you were in an accident.
Attend the Next Court Date
You will go to court to discuss the settlement of your case with the judge. You should bring any paperwork regarding previous claims or other documents to help prove your case. A car accident lawyer can help you in this regard if you’re afraid that you won’t win your case.
Contact an Attorney
Why should you hire a lawyer? Because they will be able to take the above points you’ve provided and have them ready for when you go to court. This is especially valuable for those injured multiple times during their claim. They will know exactly what documentation to provide and how to give it. Also, an attorney can be there for you if you are injured in an accident because they will be able to work as your advocate in court when it comes time for that.
File a Claim
Once you’ve been in an accident, the last thing you want to do is wait for your insurance company to act. Have them file their claim if they have not done so already. Don’t confuse this with going to court and negotiating with them. If you use this method with an experienced car accident lawyer, you will be able to have everything taken care of outside of court, and the entire process will be much more efficient for you.
Make sure you follow the above steps after a car accident. It will help you be successful when receiving the compensation you need.
