How to File a Car Accident Claim It is important to gather all the information after an accident https//vimeocom/707135254 includes contact details and names of witnesses, drivers insurance companies, as well as the policy numbers Once you've got all the details you need, you can begin the process of making an auto-accident claim It's a good idea however, to consult an attorney prior to doing so Requesting the Police Report If you're ever involved in a car accident the report is an important evidence It is a record of the facts and opinions of the police officer who investigated the accident and provides insurance companies with an understanding of the circumstances Even if the incident was minor, keeping a police log is vital for your case because it helps to determine who was responsible for the accident It also documents the accident and the damage that was caused To obtain a copy the police report, you need go to your local police station that has jurisdiction over the area where the accident occurred This can be done in person, via the internet or in the City of New York Long Islanders can also request the copy through the Department of Motor Vehicles website If you're unsure of which precinct to visit, you can call ahead to inquire They'll be able to tell you which one to visit and will give you the address and telephone number to dial to get an exact copy Once you have located the correct precinct will have to fill out a form that requests the police report The report should include the time, date and location of the incident It must include the names of all those involved You might be asked to produce your driver's licence or other identification After you have submitted your form the officer will then take a few moments to look into the incident before writing the report The report will include the information you gave as well as any impressions or observations that the officer made about the incident The officer will then present the report to the police department for approval This process can take up to seven days and the report will not be available until after that If the case is still under investigation or in legal action, the police department might decide to not release the report In these instances, the officer can request a hearing in court to release the report Documenting the Damages After a car crash it is crucial to document the damage This will help insurance adjusters and lawyers determine the amount you are entitled to receive in a settlement or lawsuit Economic and non-economic damages are the two most common types of damages that can be asserted in a car accident situation Economic damages can include things such as repairs to the vehicle, and medical expenses resulting from injuries Noneconomic damages are those things which cannot be quantified in dollars These damages are an essential element in any claim and should be evaluated carefully by an attorney for personal injuries You may also be eligible for punitive damages if the accident was severe These damages are awarded in the case of a defendant's wrongful conduct This type of compensation can only be awarded if you can prove that the defendant's actions were especially harmful The specifics of this type of damage will vary based the jurisdiction in which you live Apart from taking photographs of the scene Additionally, you can collect other documents that can aid in building your case These include witness statements and other evidence that can be used to back up your case, such as damaged objects left from the accident scene or correspondence with your insurance company A good personal injury attorney will help you to collect the necessary records and prepare them for trial In addition, you should keep a journal of the incident to help you recall important details and to describe how your injuries have affected your life Keep receipts for any repairs you've done to your vehicle or personal property These are especially useful when you need to be reimbursement for the cost of major repairs Finally, you should gather receipts for any other out-of-pocket costs that resulted from the accident, like lost wages or child care expenses These losses, such as the time you missed at work or because of injuries, must be documented and submitted to the insurance company in order to help them accurately assess your damages Negotiating with the Insurance Company You must be prepared to negotiate with your insurance company if want to receive an equitable settlement for your car accident claim Insurance adjusters are trained to decreasing payouts and denying claims The first step is to provide as accurate information as you can about the accident including the exact date and time of the incident as well as the circumstances of the incident the fault of who was responsible, and whether you were injured Photographs, witness statements, and other evidence can help in proving your innocence Additionally, you must provide any medical records, notes from a doctor or other evidence that shows the severity of your injuries This is especially important if involved in a serious accident Once you have established the extent of your damages, you should then send a demand letter to the insurance company The letter should outline the extent of your injuries and the cost of any medical treatments or other expenses incurred in the course of the accident, and the amount you're asking for to cover these expenses After receiving your demand letters The insurance company will most likely look into your claim They will input your information into a computer program that will produce a settlement estimate that is usually lower than the amount you calculated During this investigation the adjuster might ask you questions about your memories of the accident or the way you were treated in the hospital If you are frightened by this, it's best to consult an attorney prior to discussing your claim with the insurance adjuster An experienced lawyer can help you receive the maximum amount of compensation for your losses and injuries They can help you negotiate with the insurance company The time required for a claim arising from a car accident to be settled can differ depending on many factors such as the severity of your injuries as well as the extent of the damage to your vehicle If your vehicle has been severely damaged by an accident, negotiations may take several months Appeal If you've been injured in an accident in your car and are required to make an insurance claim, it can be overwhelming and confusing You might be in shock, wondering what has happened to you and your family members, not sure what steps to follow, or stressed about how to pay for medical and repair bills There are several options to appeal a claim for a car accident You can ask your insurance company to conduct a full and fair review of their decision, or you can appeal the decision to an independent third party such as a civil judge An experienced Lafayette car accident attorney will assist you in this process and determine whether an appeal is required Your lawyer will ensure that your damages are properly granted and that you receive the amount of compensation you require for your losses Many people who get hurt in accidents incur significant costs which include car repairs or medical bills, as well as lost wages These costs can have a substantial impact on your financial situation, and can be a challenge to manage Car accident victims can also suffer from emotional or psychological trauma To aid victims recover from their injuries, it is important to get compensation for suffering and pain It can't eliminate the physical pain they've endured, but it can be a much-needed resource to deal with the emotional strain that is often associated with the recovery process from an injury that is severe Your insurance company could try to deny your claim based on the fact that they have a different view of the facts than you do You should challenge their fault decision and send a written letter explaining why After you've done this, you'll need to send an original copy of the letter along with any evidence you have to back your claims to your insurance company Within a short time, the insurance company should respond Also, you should appeal to the court as fast as possible This is done by filing an appeal with the state's appellate court The court will review the trial's original decision and attempt to correct any errors