There are times when an accident cannot be avoided. The term accident means that the incident that occurred is unexpected and unintentional, even if you take the necessary precautions when you’re driving. Once you’ve been involved in an accident and you’ve done the steps needed to ensure everyone’s safety, it’s time to think about the next step: insurance claims.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident you’ve been involved in, the process of claiming compensation from an insurance company may vary. If the accident is a simple case of a fender bender and the at-fault driver is readily determined, the process is more straightforward and may take a short amount of time to be resolved. If the accident is a multiple-car collision, then the process becomes much more complicated. The insurance coverage of the at-fault driver is also a factor that gets considered when it comes to claiming insurance.
There are steps that you can take to make the process of claiming insurance an uncomplicated and faster process for you. Aside from taking these steps, having the proper documents will go a long way into making the process of filing an insurance claim a much more manageable task for you.
These are some of the documents that may help in the process of making your insurance claim smoother:
1. Official and medical reports. – These are crucial documents that will support your insurance claim. Police reports, accident/collision reconstruction reports, 911 dispatch call recordings, and reports by other law enforcement agency (such as the DMV) are considered as official reports. Emergency room records, doctor care records, and rehabilitation reports are regarded as medical reports.
2. Photo and video evidence. – Aside from being useful in telling the story of how the accident happened, these types of documents can help you demonstrate the severity of your injury or damage to your property. Although these cannot replace factual pieces of evidence like medical or repair bills, the inclusion of these can make the losses more “real” and have more impact.
3. Witness statement. – Witnesses of the accident can be of great help in case the other driver who’s involved in the collision tries to pass the blame to you. The witness statement can be a straightforward narrative telling what they saw. Keep this statement, along with the witness’s name and contact information.
4. Proving loss. – Some documents will help you establish the amount of monetary compensation you deserve. Form W-2 from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) is an excellent document to help show that you’ve lost wages while recovering from the accident. You should also keep receipts of your medical care and supplies for your injury. As for property damage, an estimate of repairs, repair invoices, and receipts of payment can be of value to your claim.
You must remember that the documents you gather in the process of claiming insurance are all essential. There is no one “super” document can help you; you should keep all documentation and keep them organized in a folder or envelope.
It is entirely possible for you to settle your insurance claim without an attorney; however, it is always best to have someone with expertise to help you. Contact us at Hogan Injury for a consultation.
None of the content on Hoganinjury.com is legal advice nor is it a replacement for advice from a certified lawyer. Please consult a legal professional for further information.
