The number of car accidents in the country is constantly on the rise. One of the reasons for this are the densely populated states that have an increasing number of drivers on the roads.
Everyone who has been through a devastating experience like a car accident can tell you what a terrifying and frustrating experience it can be. The first thing to do after a car crash is to try and remain calm, protect your health, and know which further steps to take. After making sure that you’re physically unharmed, as well as everyone else involved in the accident, the next thing to do is to file an insurance claim.
An insurance claim is a request made to an insurance company to get compensated for a traffic accident that you were involved in. Car repairs can be very costly, so if you’ve been involved in an unfortunate accident, you would surely want to know how to go about filing an auto insurance claim.
In this post, we look at the procedures for claims after a motor accident, which hopefully can help lead you to the best possible outcome.
Documents Required to Make a Claim
One of the first things to keep in mind is that your insurance company might ask you to provide certain documents so they can validate them and accept the claim. It’s your responsibility to submit all of them and fill up the claim form.
The documents you will need to submit at the moment of making a car insurance claim include a copy of your insurance policy, first information report filed with the police, duly filled up and signed claim form, copy of your car’s registration certificate, copy of your driving license, a detailed estimate of the repairs, any medical receipts if you sustained physical injuries, as well as original records of other expenses incurred.
If you’re shaken up by the accident and feel confused about where to start, try to contact a local legal professional that knows the local laws to help you out. You can click here for more information. Let’s say you live in Riverside, CA and you need some expert guidance. We would advise you to immediately find a reputable car accident lawyer to help you with any potential insurance issues after a car accident in Riverside so you can rest assured that you’ll get through this difficult time and focus on healing and recovering from your injuries.
Own Damage Claim and Third-Party Claim
After a car accident, the insurance policyholder can make two types of claims, that is, a third-party claim and own damage claim. A third-party claim can be made against the other vehicle owner in situations where the damage or injury has been caused to you or your car by a third-party vehicle.
You can then claim medical expenses and compensation for personal injury, property damage, as well as loss of earnings if you’re unable to resume working after the accident. If there’s a death, compensation can also be claimed.
In the event of a crash where your vehicle struck another vehicle and the damage has been caused by your vehicle to a third-party vehicle, your insurer will then have to cover any damages, loss, injury, or deaths that you caused to the other party.
The Insurance Claims Process
You should immediately report the incident to your insurance company and ensure that the insurer is informed within the stipulated time frame, even if you weren’t at fault. No matter where the accident took place, you will most likely be asked to provide information about the circumstances of the crash and the extent of your sustained injuries.
The insurance company will proceed by opening an investigation of your claim and you might be asked to provide photos of the accident scene, information about potential witnesses, and a more detailed account of the car accident.
The insurance will issue a settlement check once they’re finished calculating the value of your claim. If by any chance, it’s denied or if you believe the settlement is unfair, you might be able to negotiate with the insurance company. If this is not an option, then you can appeal the company’s decision. Such an appeal usually required the claimant to submit additional examinations and provide further proof and information about the accident.
Final Thoughts
After being involved in a car accident, the first thing is to seek medical attention. To get the insurance benefits, you must know the basics of insurance claims, file an insurance accident claim with both your insurer and the insurer of the responsible party and you’ll be on the right path to getting fairly compensated for your medical concerns and other financial issues.