Tips For Filing a Car Accident Claim In states that have not adopted no-fault insurance, you could have to sue the other driver in small claims court Before taking this action you should speak with an experienced accident attorney The insurance company of the other party will examine your claim to determine the liability for the collision and compensate you for your injuries, car damage and other losses, such as pain and suffering The process usually involves the following steps Gathering Information If you're able do so at the site of the accident while it is still safe to do so, take pictures of all vehicles involved in the accident including the damage, as well as any injuries that may have occurred These photographs can help show that the accident took place in the manner you described it Also, take photos of the scene and any skid marks or other debris that are visible It is also crucial to get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses, if possible They may be able testify later as to how the accident occurred and who was at fault In some instances, eyewitness testimony is the most important evidence in a lawsuit Note down the insurance information of all the parties involved You'll need the insurance company name as well as the policy number and contact details, as well as the driver's name and license plate number This information should be obtained immediately to avoid any doubts or disputes later Documentation of medical bills and treatment can be extremely valuable in an insurance claim Keep receipts for prescription medicines and other costs incurred due to the accident This could help support the damages you claim Also, if you are disabled from work because of injuries, it's crucial to keep the track of your wages lost Claim Form It is recommended that you make a claim as soon after the incident as you can if you can This allows the insurance company to examine your documents and get started This ensures that you're in compliance with the New York law deadlines for filing your claim When filing a car insurance claim you'll need to provide details of the incident and any injuries you suffered due to it The information you provide will be used to calculate damages This includes the amount of compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, damage to property and pain and discomfort The insurance company will have to determine fault should it be necessary The final police report may serve as a reference point However it is crucial to keep in mind that determining fault is not always easy In https//vimeocom/706733267 if you believe the crash was your fault other factors could be responsible for it For example, New York is a state of comparative fault meaning that your damages will be reduced based on the percentage of fault you have The insurance company will assign a case adjuster You should have your attorney with you when you speak to the adjuster They can provide an objective perspective and assist you negotiate a fair settlement If you're not able to find a solution that is satisfactory, you may have to go to court to get the money you deserve Inspecting the Damages The insurance company will need to visit the scene of the accident and examine the accident for themselves They will probably interview you as well as other people involved in the accident, talk to witnesses and inspect your vehicles They will also review your medical records, your expenses, and lost wages in order to gain a better understanding of the accident's impact on you While you wait for the police, take pictures with your phone This will allow you to document the damage and skid marks on both vehicles as well as the location of the cars In this period you should exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers involved in your accident, if it is safe to do this Note down each person's name, address, telephone number and insurance company, policy numbers and driver's license information Also note the car's make the year, make and license plate number It's tempting to point fingers at another driver in the heat of the moment but this could end up backfiring Be calm and avoid admitting fault or guilt If possible, it's a good idea to also collect the names and contact numbers of any witnesses who witnessed the collision Negotiating the Settlement Negotiating the settlement of a car crash claim can be a stressful and a bit frustrating, especially when you're facing expenses for medical treatment and lost wages Engaging an experienced lawyer to conduct all negotiations on behalf of you with the insurance company will expedite the process An lawyer will better comprehend the law, calculate your total damages and be aware of what to anticipate during settlement negotiations with an insurance company The first step is to write an official letter of demand that includes the amount you need to pay for your medical expenses and other injuries Your lawyer can assist you in compiling this information and also include any other relevant documents that support your request If you sent photos of your car or other injuries that were particularly severe to the insurance adjuster, your lawyer would mention them during negotiations In addition, your attorney will remind the adjuster of your pain and damages that are based upon the mental and emotional anxiety you've endured as a result of the accident If you engage a lawyer to negotiate a settlement on your behalf insurance companies take claims more seriously and typically offer higher settlements If the insurance company refuses to provide an acceptable settlement, your lawyer will file a lawsuit and fight for you in court