How to File an Accident Claim You will want to give as much information about the incident as you are able to your insurance agent and the insurer This will help you receive the compensation you deserve If your insurance company decides that it is not feasible to fix your vehicle, they may decide to pay you the cash value of your car 1 Call the police Unless you have a policy for your vehicle that explicitly prohibits you from calling police when you are involved in an accident and you must always report car crashes Even if there's only minor damage and the police can create an official accident report, which can be helpful when filing an insurance claim or pursuing lawsuits against the person responsible The police will conduct a thorough investigation of the scene, speaking to all parties involved including any witnesses and determining who was at fault A police officer's opinion about the incident and who was responsible along with the physical evidence from the crash scene, can be extremely valuable in obtaining compensation from an insurance company or in court While it is possible submit a claim to your insurance company without an official police report, this may make it more difficult to prove negligence and receive an appropriate settlement It is crucial to contact the police when you're involved in an accident that results in injuries This will not only fulfill your legal obligations, but it also helps to prepare yourself for success when trying to make a claim against other driver This is an indication that something might be wrong if the driver isn't willing to let you verify their information It is best to call the police, who can make sure that everyone is truthful and prevent tempers from becoming out of control in the onset of a tension Make sure you inform the police of the details of your incident and provide them with the information they need Your statements could end up in a police report, which could be used against you in the insurance claims process, or even in court If you agree not to call the police in an accident that results in injuries, it's usually an unwise decision as it could be a source of suspicion and derail your case Contact a Bronx injury lawyer if there are any concerns about reporting an accident to the police The law may not oblige you to do it however your insurance policy probably does 2 Gather Information When you are able to, and it is safe and convenient, start gathering information regarding the accident This could include images of the vehicle damage, license plate numbers, the time of day along with weather conditions and road angles It is also helpful to collect the names and contact numbers for any witnesses Be careful what you say The statements you make at the accident scene may come back and haunt you later The insurance company would like to know who is at fault for the accident This is often determined by examining state laws that define fault, and analysing the facts of the incident The report will be based on the accounts of all involved parties, including witnesses and the police In addition the insurance company will need to be aware of any injuries that were triggered by the crash This is why it is so important to keep medical records and bills, as well as any physician reports that are related to the accident The insurance company might want to have the medical records and doctor's notes analyzed by an independent medical examiner IME It is important to have an estimate of repair in the event that your vehicle was damaged during an accident These estimates should be provided to the insurance company will help them determine the true value of your vehicle in cash that will be used as the basis for the amount they will reimburse you for your loss Generally speaking, damages are classified into two categories general and special Special damages are ones that can be quantifiably measured such as medical expenses and lost wages General damages are more difficult to pin down such as suffering and pain A proof of the amount of both types of damages will be necessary to be able to file a successful claim This information will aid in filing claims for insurance coverage for accidents You can do this by contacting your insurance company, filling out a claims form online, or using an app, or by speaking with one of their representatives on the phone 3 Contact Your Insurance Company You will be required by many insurance companies to provide evidence concerning the accident This includes medical documents and receipts for expenses relating to your injury as and evidence of loss of income caused by time working The insurance company will also want to inspect your car and the damages resulting from the accident The insurer will then use this information to evaluate the value of your claim, and issue a payment check When you speak to your insurance company, it is crucial to state the facts about what happened without being influenced by emotions It is also important to avoid engaging in an fight with the representative as this can make the situation worse You should also be clear about any injuries or illnesses you've sustained and only share the information once your doctor has confirmed that it's true You'll be given a specific amount of time to report the incident to your insurance provider, and this could vary based on where you live In New York, a state which is deemed to be no-fault in nature, your automobile insurance will cover an amount of damages to your vehicle as well as personal injuries regardless of who was at fault This is why it is essential that you call your provider as soon as you can following the incident Typically, your insurance agent will then forward the information about your accident to the claims department You will receive a letter of confirmation that confirms the claim was received and is being processed Often times there will be an estimated time frame provided to you by the insurance provider for when they expect to have the damage repaired or the money for your injury settled Make sure you are aware of these deadlines and follow them strictly It is always a smart idea to consult an attorney if you're unhappy with the outcome of your case They can help you determine whether an appeal is feasible and can also ensure that your rights are protected 4 Contact https//vimeocom/709768733 Whether you are dealing with damage to your vehicle, home or any other property or have suffered an injury in an accident, it is important to file a claim as soon as you can This is often a condition of your insurance policy failing to comply could result in your insurer refusing to accept the claim or increase your premiums, and other consequences, such as losing the right to sue for compensation for the loss or injury you suffered In most cases, insurance companies assign a particular person or team to review your claim This could mean the appointment of an adjuster to inspect the damage on your vehicle If you decide to do this you must take photographs and videos to show the damage The next step is to ensure that you meet the deadlines imposed by your state or the insurer If you're not sure what you must do, you must consult with an attorney who is familiar with the rules and regulations of your insurance company and also the rules of the policy you have chosen to follow An experienced car accident lawyer can help you determine the type of coverage you have available and the amount of compensation you may be entitled to receive Your Slater amp; Zurz lawyer will also have knowledge of insurance settlement negotiations, and know the tactics that insurance companies use to cut their payouts This could save you a substantial amount of money An attorney can also assist you with other areas such as calculating damages for instance, for suffering and pain Insurance companies employ complicated calculations to determine the amount they can pay an injured victim for these kinds of non-monetary losses, and an experienced lawyer will be knowledgeable of the calculation methods used and any legal precedents that might be applicable to your situation In many cases, a seasoned attorney will be able gather all of the evidence required for your case and bring a lawsuit against the party at fault on your behalf in order to secure the compensation you deserve and need