How to File an Auto Accident Claim In states with no-fault insurance, your insurance will pay for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who's at fault for the accident They'll also want to gather evidence and read documents photos witness testimony, photographs, medical records, and expense reports The amount of compensation you receive depends on the severity of injuries and expenses This article will guide you through the steps to filing an auto accident claim Report the Accident It's crucial to notify a car crash as soon as you can In many states, this is done by the local police, county sheriffs, state police, or Department of Motor Vehicles If you can, snap photos of the scene of the crash This can help you remember what happened, and can be helpful for your insurance claim For instance, pictures can show skid marks, damage to vehicles as well as weather conditions and other important details It's also a good idea to obtain the other driver's details such as their name and insurance company If you are able, ask for their driver's licence and car registration It is also important to record what you saw, as well as what happened Remember, memory isn't reliable and if you fail to write down what happened it could leave you at fault for any damages or injuries that aren't evident later on If you do not report the incident your insurance company could refuse to pay for any damage that result from it You should check your policy or talk to your agent to determine whether you have to file an accident report Seek medical attention One of the first things you should do following a car crash is to seek medical attention and be assessed for injuries You can avoid future complications by seeing a doctor as quickly as possible It will also help your case when you negotiate with the insurer It's best to visit an emergency room at a hospital, if at all possible after a car accident Hospitals have access top-quality surgeons, doctors, and medical supplies It isn't easy for insurance companies and defense attorneys to downplay injuries sustained in the hospital Injuries in car accidents can range from minor bruising up to severe internal injuries, like paralysis and brain trauma Even if you don't experience any symptoms initially such as stiffness or pain it is essential to see a physician These medical records will be critical evidence in proving your claim that you suffered injuries related to injury as a result of the crash Our Denver car accident lawyers will use these medical records in order to build an argument that proves the negligence of the driver who was at fault for the crash caused your injuries and that you deserve fair compensation for your losses Take Pictures Take photos of the scene of the accident as quickly as possible, but ideally before police arrive If you are able, capture all the damage to the vehicle from different vantage points It is also crucial to take close-up pictures of the vehicles and any other evidence that is crucial such as shattered glass or deployed airbags in the event that you are able to do so If you're unable to capture close-ups of the vehicle then place an object like an empty penny in the photo to give it a sense of scale It is also helpful to take pictures with and without flash as different lighting conditions may reveal details that are not obvious You should also take pictures of any injuries you have sustained during the accident Scrapes, bruises and cuts will fade over time, and the photos will serve as valuable evidence of your injuries in the future It is also an excellent idea to capture photos of other details that may be relevant to the incident such as traffic signals, road signs, weather conditions, and road debris because they can aid in the creation of a clearer picture of what transpired Contact Your Insurance Company No matter if you're planning to file a car crash claim, it's essential to contact your insurance company as quickly as possible Your policy could require you to make this call, and even in the event that it does not, your attorney will require records of your losses like medical charges and repair costs to back up your claims In addition to obtaining your vehicle's information and identifying any other drivers involved in the crash Also, you should collect any other pertinent information at the scene, suggests Luna Ask to see the insurance card of the driver who was involved in the accident and ensure you have their name and address, phone number and details about their car insurance company, policy numbers If there are any witnesses, try to obtain their names and contact numbers, too The last thing you want to do following a car accident is to argue with insurance companies it is vital to remain calm If you're emotional your statements can be used against you later on in the process This is why it's better to have an attorney manage negotiations They can make sure that you do not say anything that could be used against you later Contact an Attorney An experienced attorney can help you navigate the insurance company to get an appropriate settlement They will go through all medical records and bills, and consult with your doctor to determine the full extent and severity of your injuries If you fail to provide them with accurate and complete documentation, they will not offer you a fair price In addition to seeking compensation for your economic losses, like medical bills and lost wages, you could be entitled to non-economic damages for pain and suffering If the other driver was found to have acted with a degree of gross recklessness or negligence the court could award additional compensation, also known as punitive damages https//vimeocom/706734682 must inform the police if the driver who was at responsible fled the scene You should also request an original crash report from the precinct or online This is needed to start a lawsuit or file a no-fault lawsuit New York has specific laws that regulate automobile accidents An experienced attorney can explain these rules