It’s one of the most frustrating situations. You’ve been involved in a car accident, and you’re having a hard time getting things moving. All you want is to simply be compensated for any damages and pay your own medical expenses but the entire process seems like an uphill battle.
Don’t worry.
We’ll walk you through the valuable steps to take when filing a car accident claim.
What is a Claim?
A claim is a formal request by an individual or a business to recover compensation after suffering a loss or injury. There are two types of claims: personal injury and property damage.
Personal injury claims are filed when someone has been injured due to another party’s negligence.
Property damage claims are filed when one party damages another party’s property due to negligence or carelessness.
Car Accident Claims
A car accident claim is a type of personal injury claim which is a demand for financial compensation made by a person or business that suffered damages due to an accident. People who have been injured in a car crash or lost a loved one may file a claim against the at-fault driver or other parties that they believe contributed to their injuries or death.
When you make a car accident claim, you’re asking for money to cover your losses. This could include medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. The amount of financial compensation varies depending on the type of claim you file and how much damage was done in the crash.
Statute of Limitations
In most states, you have a certain amount of time to guard your legal rights after you’ve been involved in an automobile accident. These rights are called your “statute of limitations.” Failing to file your claim within the allotted time period or taking an action outside of the law could result in your case being thrown out. That’s why if you are a victim of a car accident in Phoenix, it’s crucial to work with the best accident lawyers in phoenix.
Why Do You Need to File a Claim?
By filing a claim, you can get compensated for your injuries and losses. Your insurance company will pay for medical bills, lost wages and other expenses related to your accident. You may also be able to receive compensation for pain and suffering if your injuries were significant enough. You may also be entitled to compensation if others involved in the accident damaged any property belonging to you.
Steps When Filing a Car Accident Claim
When filing a car accident claim, it’s important to take the necessary steps in order to ensure that you are properly compensated for your injuries.
Here are five steps to follow:
- Document Your Injuries
Documenting your injuries can help you prove your case in court if you need to sue for damages. In addition, documenting your injuries early on will help you receive treatment sooner and get back on your feet faster. If possible, photograph or video your injuries as they occur and keep copies of all medical bills and doctor’s notes related to the treatment of your injuries.
This includes your driver’s license and the auto insurance policy. In order to prepare your claim, you will need to gather the following documents:
- Driver’s license
- Car insurance policy
- Witnesses’ names and contact information
- Police report number
- Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after an accident occurs and report any damage sustained by either vehicle involved in an accident as well as any personal property inside the vehicle (this includes cell phones, iPads, laptops, etc.). You should also contact your insurance company if you believe someone else may have been at fault for causing an accident (even if it doesn’t appear that way at first glance).
3.Get Medical Attention
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After an accident, it is important that you seek medical attention so that your injuries can be properly evaluated and treated. You may need X-rays and MRIs depending on the severity of your injuries. If you have suffered from back pain due to whiplash or other neck injuries then this would require further evaluation through imaging studies such as CT scans or MRI scans in order to confirm the diagnosis and assess treatment options accordingly.
Now, even if you’re feeling fine after an accident, it is still important to get medical attention as soon as possible so that doctors can determine whether you sustained any injuries during the incident. If you do have injuries (even minor ones), your doctor will likely prescribe some form of treatment for them — like physical therapy or pain medication — which will come out of your pocket unless your insurance covers it (which is unlikely).
4.Find Witnesses
Depending on where the accident occurred and how bad it was, there may be witnesses who saw what happened and can provide valuable information about what transpired before, during, and after the crash took place. You should speak with these individuals immediately. Always try to get names and phone numbers from other drivers or pedestrians who saw what happened. Take pictures of the accident scene from multiple angles before leaving the scene.
- Work with the best accident lawyers in phoenix
If you are unsure of what steps to take after filing a car accident claim, it is best to seek legal advice from an experienced car accident lawyer. The lawyer will be able to guide you through this process and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the duration of the case. In some cases, lawyers may offer free consultations for their services.
You deserve to get compensation
If you have been injured as a result of a car accident, you know how important it is to protect your rights. Dealing with insurance companies can be a huge hassle, especially if they are trying to get out of paying you what you deserve. However, the process doesn’t have to be difficult and you don’t have to go through it alone. Make sure that if you do choose to hire a lawyer that you pick one who has experience in car accidents and who has helped other people similar to your situation.
Hiring an attorney that specializes in car accident cases means that the lawyer probably has dealt with the same circumstances as yours before and knows how to defend your compensation from the insurance company. An experienced car accident attorney will be able to analyze the situation and determine how much money is fair and deserved for your injury.
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Credits to Jason M. Ferguson
Jason M. Ferguson, the founder of Ferguson Law Group, started his career working for an automobile insurance company as a trial attorney before owning his injury law firm for over 20 years. Attorney Ferguson has a unique experience, having tried cases on both sides of the court system in personal injury trials, unlike many other lawyers. Mr. Ferguson also served over 14 years as an Army Reserve officer and the Georgia Air National Guard. The Albany Herald recognized him as one of southwest Georgia’s “40 under 40” in 2010.