How to Document a Motor Vehicle Claim

A motor vehicle accident law firms vehicle claim is the process of submitting a claim with your insurance company following an accident. The report will enable them to review your insurance coverage and determine how much they will cover the damages.

You should file your claim as quickly as you can after the accident. Make sure you have copies of the police report along with your insurance card or declarations page available.

What to Do Following an Accident

As soon as you notice a collision capture photos and videos from different angles to capture the accident. The scene could change rapidly witnesses may leave and evidence could disappear.

If you are able, take note of all driver's names, phone numbers, addresses, and insurance information. Note the year model, make, and year of each vehicle, in addition to any other important information like a damage or license plate number.

Asking each driver if they were wearing seatbelts, if passengers were riding along with them, and noting their age and gender is also useful. Most injuries from motor vehicle accidents aren't visible until a week or two following the crash. It is crucial to seek medical care immediately even if you think that you're not injured.

If you can, move the vehicle out of traffic in order to prevent further injury or damage. Also put up flares or reflective emergency triangles to prevent other drivers from hitting them.

Be sure to notify the police if you are able to. This is important to do even if it seems like it was minor, because the other driver could deny the accident occurred and their insurance provider could deny your claim.

Getting Started

A claim is the process in that you inform your insurer of a loss and ask them to pay it. This could include the cost of repairs to a car or medical expenses due to an accident.

Before you file your claim, make sure you have all of the necessary information including contact details for everyone involved, any receipts for damaged personal property and any medical bills. Also, you should have the accident report, as well as photos of any damage.

Your insurer will assign a claim adjuster who will be the person responsible for your claim. They will review all the information you provided right after the accident and conduct an investigation of their own. This will help them determine the cause of the accident and who is responsible.

Once they have an complete knowledge of what transpired the adjuster will then inspect the damage to your vehicle. You can be present at the inspection, or provide a list of repair quotes from local auto repair shops or contractors.

If your insurance company believes that the damage to your vehicle is too costly to repair the damage, they will issue you a check that is equal to the value of the vehicle. You can use the funds to buy a new car or to pay off your lease or loan. If you submit a claim, your insurance rates could increase. Do all you can to prove that the incident wasn't at fault.

Documenting the Incident

Documenting the accident is vital when you're involved. Insurance companies are looking for evidence to support claims made by you or others. Evidence that is collected and documented can be the difference in the majority of cases. It's crucial to have all of the information whether it's photos of the accident scene or witness statements, or medical records that show consistent treatment.

When you are investigating the incident, make sure to write down the other driver's license number and the vehicle's information. Also, take the names and contact details of any witnesses. If you can, take photos or create a diagram of the accident scene. This will help you to understand what happened on the scene, and also what caused the accident.

Documentation should also include details about the incident. This includes the place of the accident, the direction of travel and any relevant landmarks. It is crucial to provide a description of any injuries sustained in the accident, as well. It's also crucial to note the severity of any damage that was sustained, and how it was caused. It is essential to record the accident because memories can fade over time and stories can change. It's the best way to reveal the truth. Even if it's your fault, having the facts documented can help in determining the amount of responsibility, if any, should be attributable to you.

Finding Help

Once the police report has been completed, contact your insurance company as quickly as you can. Most insurance companies let you submit a claim via an app for your tablet or phone. It is also a good idea to receive a check from your insurance provider for the value of your car. This will help you when your car is "totaled" and you plan to buy a new one. If you're still carrying a loan on your current vehicle this will help pay off the balance and/or reduce the monthly payments.

Your representative will ask you questions and send you documents to complete. It is essential to be truthful and precise in the information you provide. If you are found to not have provided exact information, it could hurt your case.

If you are hurt by the accident, schedule an appointment with a doctor right away to make sure that any bones are set correctly and that any other injuries are recorded for the claim process. By visiting your doctor as soon as you can it will also ensure that your medical expenses are covered by accident-related no-fault benefits.

If your No-Fault claim is rejected by the insurance company, or you'd like to pursue a liability claim for suffering and pain or other damages, you will need to file a lawsuit. It's best to have an experienced lawyer on your side should you decide to file a lawsuit.