How to File an Accident Claim If you are involved in a crash, you will want to keep all the information you can for your agent and insurance company. This will help you get the compensation you deserve. If your insurance provider decides that it is not possible to fix your vehicle, he or she may decide to pay you the cash value of your car. 1. Call the Police You should always report car accidents, unless you have a vehicle policy that excludes the requirement to call the police. Even if there is only minor damage the police will prepare an official accident report that could be useful when filing an insurance claim or filing lawsuit against the person responsible. The police will conduct an exhaustive investigation, talking to all those involved and any witnesses. They will also determine who is responsible. An officer's view of the incident and who is at fault as well as the evidence that was found at the crash scene, can be extremely valuable in seeking compensation from an insurance company or in court. Although it is possible to submit a claim to your insurance company without any police report, it can make it harder to prove negligence and receive an equitable settlement. If you're involved in an accident that causes injuries, it's crucial to notify the police. This will not only meet your legal obligations, but will also aid in obtaining an award against another driver. This is a sign that something may be wrong if the driver won't let you check their information. Contact the police to ensure everyone is being truthful and to avoid tempers getting out-of-hand at a potentially stressful moment. Inform the police about the details of your incident and give them the information they need. Any statements you make can be included in the official police report, which could be used against you in the insurance claims process or in an appeal. In addition, if you do not agree to notify the police in an accident that results in injury, it's generally unwise as it could cause suspicion and cause a delay in your case. If you have any questions regarding whether or not you should notify the police about an accident make contact with an Bronx personal injury lawyer. The law may not require it but your insurance policy almost certainly will. 2. Gather Information When it's safe to do so, start collecting information regarding the incident. This could include photos of the car damage and license plate numbers, the timing of the day and weather conditions as well as road angles. It is also important to know the name and contact details of witnesses. Be careful about what you say. The statements you make at the accident scene can come back and haunt you for years to come. The insurance company would like to know who was at fault for the accident. This is typically determined by examining the state laws that define fault and reviewing the facts. The report will be based on the findings of all involved parties, including witnesses and the police. The insurance company will also require information whether there were any injuries that were caused by the accident. It is important to keep all medical records and bills in addition to any reports from physicians in connection with the injury. Insurance companies may request an independent medical examiner to review the medical records and notes from the doctor. If your car was damaged during the accident, it is helpful to have repair estimates. These estimates will aid the insurance company determine the cash value of your vehicle, which will be used to determine how much they will reimburse you. Damages are usually divided into two categories: general and specific. Special damages are those that are easily quantifiable, such as medical bills and lost wages. General damages, such as pain and suffering, are more difficult to quantify. In order for a claim to be successful, you'll have to prove both types of. With all of this information, it will make it much easier to file an insurance claim. You can accomplish this by calling your agent, completing an online claim form or using an app, or talking to one of their representatives on the phone. 3. Contact Your Insurance Company Most insurance companies will ask you to supply documents regarding the incident. This will include medical records and receipts for the expenses related to your injury as and evidence of the loss of income because of time away from work. The insurance company will also want to look over your vehicle as well as the damage that was caused by the accident. The insurer will utilize this information to determine the amount of your claim, and then issue a compensation check. It is important to state the facts about what happened when you talk to your insurance company. Avoid engaging in a dispute with the representative, as it could cause more problems. You should also be clear about any injuries or illnesses you've suffered and only disclose the information after your doctor has confirmed that it's true. Depending on where you live the deadline for reporting an incident to your insurance provider may vary. In New York, a state that is considered to be no-fault, the car insurance will cover an amount that is based on damage to your vehicle and personal injuries regardless of who was at fault. This is the reason it is crucial to contact your provider as soon as possible following the accident. Typically, your insurance provider will then forward the information about your accident on to the claims department. You will then receive a note confirming that the report was received and is being processed. Insurance companies will often give you a timeline for when they anticipate the damage to be fixed or to receive the money for the injury. Make sure you are aware of these deadlines and observe these deadlines closely. It is always a smart idea to seek the advice of an attorney if dissatisfied with the outcome of your case. They can assist you in determining whether appeals are possible and can also ensure that your rights are secured. 4. Contact an attorney If you're dealing damage to your home, vehicle or other property or have suffered an injury in an accident, you should to submit a claim as fast as you can. This is often a condition of your insurance policy and in the absence of this, it could result in your insurer refusing to accept the claim, or raising your rates, in addition to other consequences, such as losing the right to sue compensation for the loss or injury you suffered. Insurance companies usually have a team or individual to work with you to evaluate your claims. This could include arranging for an adjuster to look over the damage to your vehicle, for example. If you decide to take this route, it's important that you take photos and videos of the damage, if it is safe to do so without risking yourself or others, as it can aid your case tremendously. The next step is to make sure that you are in compliance with the deadlines set by your state or by the insurance company. If you're uncertain about what you need to do get an attorney's advice. is familiar with your insurance company's rules and regulations and also your policy. An experienced attorney for car accidents can help you determine the kind of coverage you have and the amount you might be entitled to. Your Slater & Zurz attorney will also have experience with insurance settlement negotiations and is aware of the strategies employed by insurance companies to cut their payouts, which can save you a substantial amount of money. A lawyer can also assist you with other issues like calculating damages, for example, for pain and suffering. Insurance companies employ complicated calculations to determine how much to pay an injured person for these types of losses that are not monetary, and an experienced lawyer will be knowledgeable of the calculation methods used as well as any legal precedents that may be applicable to your situation. An experienced attorney can often gather all the evidence necessary for your case, and file an action on your behalf against the party at fault to ensure you receive the amount you're due.