What Is an Accident Claim? A claim for accident compensation is an official request to your insurance company after a car accident. The insurance company will determine the fault based on all evidence including police reports and witness statements. Documenting the scene and snapping pictures will help you avoid your claim being reduced to just your word versus that of the other driver. Other evidence sources could include: Medical bills Car accident victims frequently are faced with a huge amount of medical bills following an accident. This can be a source of stress. The victims may not know who pays for their medical bills or how they'll make enough money to live. There are several ways you can get your medical bills covered following a car crash. If you're injured in an automobile accident your no-fault insurance provider will pay for first medical expenses up to $50,000 per person. But, you must file an application for no-fault benefits within a year from the date of the accident. If you don't do this then you'll lose your possibility of having these bills paid. You must also submit your claim to a correct insurance company. If you were at work when you were involved in an accident the insurance policy of your employer will cover the no fault coverage, not your own vehicle policy. A lawyer can assist you in determining the appropriate insurance companies to call. In addition to no-fault insurance, a lot of drivers choose to have medical payment, also known as "Med Pay," included in their insurance policies for their automobiles. This insurance will cover the driver's medical expenses up to the policy limit. This coverage doesn't have the requirement of a deductible, and does not affect premiums for health insurance. This insurance can be used to pay for medical expenses. The amount of the medical expense is added to the settlement if your car accident claim is settled. It is also important to keep careful documentation of all medical expenses incurred in your accident. It is your responsibility or your lawyer to submit these records to the appropriate insurance companies. This will help you to establish the amount of compensation you should receive from the party at fault to cover the costs incurred by your injury. After a favorable settlement has been reached and the insurance company has agreed to a settlement, they has a legal right to be compensated for any amount they have paid on your behalf. This is known as subrogation and is a legal process. For instance, let's suppose that John suffers injuries in an accident and builds up a total of $20,000 worth of medical bills. He then sends the bills to his health insurance company, which covers and reduces the cost. His attorney then takes the discount amount from the at-fault party as part of his settlement. Property damage Damage claims for property include the loss or damage to personal or commercial property. For instance, a car accident victim can file a claim to cover repairs or replacement costs for their vehicle that has been damaged. The insurance company of the driver who was at fault will reimburse the victim's expense and less the deductible. This type of compensation also covers reimbursement for any depreciation on the vehicle. The type of damage covered by an insurance policy is contingent upon the coverage limits, deductibles, and other terms and condition. Check the policy to determine what types of damages are covered and their limits. Additionally, making the claim for damage to property can affect future premiums and rates particularly if you have to make multiple claims within a short period of time. When filing a property damage claim, it is important to have all the relevant details including the date of loss, a copy of the police report, and receipts for items damaged or stolen. It is also beneficial to have an official estimate of the cost of repair or replacement. Once a claim has been filed an adjuster will be sent by the insurer to assess the damage. It is usually best to be present during the inspection so that you can inform the adjuster what was damaged or lost and answer any questions. Most insurance policies include a form of property damage liability insurance. This type helps pay for harm caused to other vehicles or personal property as well as structures however, it doesn't normally include coverage for the victim's own vehicle or personal possessions. It's important to make a claim on property damage as soon as is possible. If you wait too much in the meantime, the insurance company could suspect that the accident could have been avoided and will be less willing to settle your claim. You should also consult a lawyer for car accidents prior accepting an offer from an insurance company to ensure that you receive the maximum amount possible for your losses. They can assist you in calculating the full amount of your damages, which includes those relating to the diminished value of the resale value of your vehicle. Lost wages If an injury stops you from earning a steady salary and working then you are entitled to compensation for the loss of earnings. The easiest method to calculate this is to look at the amount of time that you are absent from work, or in more complicated cases a medical professional may provide you with a figure for your injury that is based on the loss of future potential earnings. The first step in proving lost wages is to obtain an official letter from your doctor which outlines clearly your injuries and what kind of limitations you have on your ability to work. The letter should be updated regularly as your condition improves or gets worse. Next, you will need to collect all of your pay slips and other relevant wage-related documents. Your attorney can assist you in this process. You'll have to submit all financial documents, such as bank statements, invoices, receipts and profit and loss statements. The more data you have to support your claim the more convincing. In addition to the actual loss of wages, it is important to include all other compensation or benefits you would have received had you were able to work. Included in this are pay bonuses as well as the use of a golf cart or company vehicle, and any other benefits that are not normally associated with your regular wage. Include any costs you incur due to your injuries, for example, hiring someone else to do household chores. This is an important aspect of your claim because it proves that the accident has impacted more than your physical health. In some accidents the injuries sustained are so severe that they will hinder your return to your previous job. This is referred to as permanent impairment and may be included in the damages award. It is a non-economic form of damage which is intended to make you whole after your accident. If you've been injured in a motor accident in Houston and are unable to work, contact an experienced attorney to assist with filing an insurance claim. Suffering and pain Accidents can cause significant discomfort for the victim. This damage may not be quantifiable, like the cost of medical treatment or lost wages, however it could lead to settlements for an accident claim. Pain and suffering refers both to physical or mental distress that a victim suffers in the aftermath of an injury triggered by another person's negligence. It encompasses a variety of damages including emotional trauma and loss of enjoyment. The physical pain associated with personal injuries can last days, weeks, months, or even years. Mental anguish caused by injuries can be very severe and cause permanent damage. These damages are referred to as general damages and cannot be easily determined by numbers or documents because they are not tangible. Insurance companies use a variety of methods to calculate the amount of pain, suffering and damages. They may assign a dollar amount to each day of suffering or they can use the per diem method. In the latter case there is a certain amount of money is paid each day that you have suffered from pain due to an accident. The dollar amount that is paid is based on the severity and extent of your injury. Eyewitness testimony is usually the most effective way to show your claim to pain and suffering. This is especially helpful when the witness is close to your family, such as a spouse, or loved one who can speak about the consequences of your injuries to your daily life. The written statements of relatives and friends can also provide proof of the impact of a traumatic injury. They can provide details of how the accident has affected your life and help demonstrate that your injuries are sufficient to be able to claim compensation for pain and suffering. It is hard to assign a dollar value on subjective harms like suffering and pain. However, a knowledgeable attorney can assist you in getting the full amount you are entitled to. An attorney can gather all the necessary evidence to help your case and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.