When you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may be entitled to file a car accident compensation claim to cover the cost of damage to your vehicle, medical expenses, and other expenses related to the incident. Filing a car accident compensation claim can be a complicated process and you need to be aware of claim-filing deadlines, and also ensure that you are providing enough documentation and details to support your claim. Many people work with car accident attorneys to increase the chances of having their car accident compensation claim approved, and also to maximize the amount they receive.
Things to Include in the Car Accident Compensation Claim
When you are filing a car accident compensation claim – whether it’s on your own, or with the help of a car accident attorney – you will need to provide certain details and accurate information to support your claim. Some of the essential items to include in a car accident compensation claim, include:
- Names and addresses of witnesses
- Investigating police officers name and badge numbers
- Weather conditions
- Condition of the road
- Traffic controls
- Condition of the motor vehicle that struck you
- Complete description of the motor vehicle
- Photographs of the damaged vehicle or property
- Photos of any bodily injuries
- Summary of medical evaluation, or a copy of it
- List of medical expenses already incurred because of the incident
Payment of Your Car Accident Compensation Claim
After the insurance company has reviewed your claim, they will send you an offer letter based on their evaluation. You do not need to accept this offer right away, and do have the option of denying the offer, negotiating with the insurance company, and taking your case to court. When you work with an experienced car accident attorney, he or she will be able to handle the negotiations on your behalf, and also ensure that you are not getting less than you deserve.
The car accident attorney will evaluate your situation in detail and make sure you are being fully compensated for the following types of damages and expenses:
- Lost time from work
- Loss of a job
- Property damage
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Medical payments
- Vehicular damage or the cost of replacement
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
You will need to provide solid documentation of all of these expenses in order to have your claim approved, or to support your case in court. Your car accident attorney can assist with gathering these documents and will work towards helping you get the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.
In order to receive payment for your car accident compensation claim, you will need to make sure you submit your claim within a certain timeframe, and have provided all necessary details. Failure to submit on time or provide accurate information can lead to a denial of your claim. You will then need to take extra steps to resubmit your claim or file a lawsuit against the insurance company.
