How to File a Motor Vehicle Claim You'll have to make an insurance claim if your vehicle is damaged It is important to understand the procedure An adjuster is sent by the insurance company to assess the damage to your vehicle You don't always have to be present when an adjuster examines the damage to your vehicle, but you should bring along your policy and any relevant documentation Take Photos Ever watch a crime show in which the detectives look over every square inch of the scene, taking photos of the tiniest of details, from footprints to chocolate wrappers that have been tossed away Apply the same level of attention when looking over the scene of your accident It is crucial to record as much of the incident when it happens so that you will have something tangible to prove your case in the future It is crucial to take pictures of both vehicles, however you should also consider taking closeups of the damaged parts These photos can assist insurance companies as well as expert witnesses, determine the size of different objects In your photos, include some reference points, like the location of stop signs or traffic lights These could later be connected to the at-fault driver's actions that caused the crash Take pictures of other drivers and their passengers, as well as any witnesses https//vimeocom/706835814 may be able to get a photo of their license plate Take photos of emergency responders, their vehicles and any person who is placed on a gurney and/or an ambulance Do not submit the photos to the insurance company only if requested by your attorney, or required to do this by the court In other words, you could accidentally be proving your own claim For instance, if you change the date stamp on your photos after the accident, it could cause insurance companies to doubt the validity of your claim Seek Medical Attention The first thing you must do following an accident is to seek medical attention This is not only important for your health, but it also ensures that any injuries you may have are documented A lot of personal injury claims require compensation for medical bills as well as other damages Medical records are essential for your claim Even if there are no symptoms that you can notice you should make an appointment with your primary care physician or an emergency room Your doctor will offer you a full medical evaluation and determine the extent of your injuries They can also to provide you with the appropriate treatment It is important to follow the advice of your doctor regarding your treatment plan since this will help you recuperate faster and improve your case This includes filling your prescriptions, taking any over-the-counter medicines, taking part in physical therapy, observing instructions on time off of work, and attending follow-up appointments It is important to stay clear of saying anything that an insurance adjuster may mistakenly interpret This is because insurance companies may try to discredit your injuries in an effort to reject your claim or decrease the amount they'll pay you for your claim It is essential that you only talk to insurance adjusters with your attorney present Contact an attorney Legal representation is essential for those who have been injured Attorneys can help injured parties manage their stress and know where to focus their energy Attorneys can also weigh facts and evidence to determine whether a case is worth fighting in court The insurance company is primarily a business and their objective is to take as much money from insureds as is possible and pay out as little as possible in theory It is tempting, if you're at the scene of an incident to accept a flimsy settlement offer since it's the most straightforward thing to do It could result in disastrous consequences in the future If you file a claim with your insurance company an adjuster will be sent at your home to assess the damage caused to your vehicle They will also go over receipts for medical bills and personal property damages They may also speak with witnesses and review police reports Before meeting with an adjuster, it is beneficial to obtain repair estimates from local auto repair shops or contractors This will allow them to be aware of what they can expect for repairs An experienced motor vehicle attorney can make sure that all the information required is in the documents and that right documents are provided to the insurance company He or she can offer advice and provide suggestions on how to deal with an adjuster for claims, how to you should handle a settlement, and what to do if an insurance company is not responsive and is acting in a shady manner