Insurance claims in auto accidents – Things to Be Aware Of
Insurance claims in auto accidents: Things you should be aware of
Keywords: Auto Accidents Lawyer(s), Auto Accidents Law Firm(s), Auto Accidents Attorney(s)
So, you have been in a car accident? Your head must be filled with dozens of queries on what you should do now; should you go with vehicle damage claim or make an injury claim with the other driver. While both these options are quite viable but which one is good for you solely depends upon your current situation. But, worry not because through the help of this article, we will give you all the information you need to make insurance claims in auto accidents and tell you all things you should be aware of.
Gather information
The first thing that you need to do is contact your auto accidents lawyer and start gathering as much information about the accident and the other driver. Even if the other driver is the one who has caused the accident, you will not be dealing with the driver directly, but instead you will be dealing with his/her insurance company.
So, it is better to get the expert opinion of an auto accidents law firm before making any move. So, while you are at the scene of the accident you need to gather the following information:
- The contact information of the other driver
- The contact information of the other driver’s insurance company
- The contact information about any witnesses of the accident
- The contact information of the law enforcement officers on the scene.
All this information will only allow your auto accidents attorney to create a better picture of the accident to ask for the insurance claim. They will also advise you to take pictures of the accident scene with your mobile phone of the locations of both the vehicles, and areas on the vehicles where the physical damage has occurred. You should also take pictures of the license plates of both of the vehicles.
As your auto accidents lawyer will tell you that the insurance companies are not on your side. This is because, Insurance companies are working to make profit, and they only make profit when they have to pay less claim money to you. And they can do just that by painting a false picture of either pinning partial or full fault of the accident on you. Or they can give you less claim by saying that you have not provided them with sufficient documentation to support your claim.
So, it is important for you to gather as much information as you can and then contact your auto accidents law firm to handle your case.
The damages that you can collect
If the only type of damage you wish to claim is about property then here is a list of damages that you are entitled to collect:
- Vehicle damage
- Personal property damage which may include compensation of your computer or other valuables that were inside your car at the time of the accident and had gotten damaged because of it
- Car rental claim which gives you the reimbursement of the rental car you are going to use while your car is getting repaired
- Other expenses which may be reimbursed by the insurance company like the taxi you used to get home after the accident or go to the police station.
The thing with Insurance companies as prescribed by your auto accidents attorney is that they will not give you claims with the goodness of their heart and will only provide you with claims if you have given specific documentation for those claims. So, you have to provide proof of all the expenses that you had made after the accident.
With the help of your auto accidents lawyer you might be able to settle the dispute with the insurance company without any lawsuit as it will be in the best interest of the insurance company to settle by paying you fair compensation rather than paying extra for litigation as well. So, make sure what you are asking for and have the backing documentation to prove it all as well. And use this information for insurance claims in auto accidents and the things you should be aware of.
The damages you can collect if you are injured yourself
Some accidents are much more severe than normal fender benders. But if you have been in an accident that has left you injured, then along with the claims that are mentioned above, you will also be entitled to the cover up of your medical expenses or your lost wages while you were recovering. The claims may also help you recover from your mental and physical pain that you may be suffering from after the accident. As your auto accidents law firm will guide you through the unique circumstances that will prevail because of your medical expenses and physical injuries.
So, this is all the information that will help you go for insurance claims in auto accidents and all the things you should be aware of can be taken care of by the help of your auto accidents attorney.
This content is available for general information only. The information presented is not legal advice, is not to be acted on as such, may not be current and is subject to change without notice. You must secure a lawyer or law firm to obtain proper professional advice.