Are You Entitled to Compensation?
Michael Babboni
Personal Injury
If you have recently been injured in a car accident and suffered damage to your property, then you may be entitled to compensation for the damages and injuries you have sustained.Finding Fault
Sometimes it is clear who is at fault during an accident, but sometimes there are situations in which it may not be as clear to those involved. The best way to help your insurance company find liability and fault is to accurately explain all the details of what happened and where the damage on each vehicle is located. Be sure to provide as many supporting details as possible and be as accurate and precise as you can.
The Claim
When submitting the claim for the accident, you will need to have all the proper documentation and evidence available. The police report is one of the first things the insurance companies on both ends will consider. Therefore, it is so important to call the police immediately following the accident so that they can file the accident report.
The police report will help facilitate the claim being filed and will ensure a certain level of accuracy when it comes to the details of the accident. A police report should contain vital information such as a description of what happened, the number of passengers in each car, both drivers’ names and information, names of any witnesses, description of where the vehicles were damaged and to what extent, and a record of any injuries anyone suffered as a result of the accident and whether or not they were taken to the hospital for treatment.
After reviewing the police report and getting details about the accident from everyone involved, the insurance company will then look over other information such as any preexisting conditions you may already have, what other citations or charges you have on your record, and they will look at all photographs taken. If there are any witnesses, they will then collect their testimonies as well.
To ensure an easy and efficient claims process, you should be sure that you have all the evidence and documentation you will need. Take notes so nothing is forgotten, photograph the vehicles as well as the surrounding area where the accident occurred, preserve any physical evidence there may be, contact witnesses, and be sure to document any injuries that may have been sustained. Always seek medical assistance for injuries as well and you can then provide the records to the insurance company.
Damages and Compensation
When it comes to damages and compensation for an automobile accident, you can be reimbursed for the cost of medical bills involved, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property loss. These damages all fall under the category of specific damages and are typically given specified value amounts for the losses.
Under general damages, you can receive compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more serious injuries including the loss of an extremity or the loss of consortium. Also, if the defendant was acting carelessly and negligent, then you may also be entitled to punitive damages as imposed by the court.
Hiring a Lawyer
Hiring a lawyer for any kind of claim can offer you an upper hand during the process. They will help work with the insurance company and adjuster to be sure that all the proper documentation and evidence is submitted, and they will be able to help answer any questions you may have during the process.