In the event of an automobile accident, the last thing you want to do is spend hours on end sorting through your insurance policies and legal rights. But that’s exactly what many people have to do when they’re in this unfortunate situation. Automobile accidents are a common occurrence, and they can happen to anyone at any time. In fact, according to the National Council on Disability, there are approximately 1.6 million car accidents every year.
Not only are these accidents inconvenient from a logistics standpoint; but they can also be quite traumatizing, especially if you or someone else involved in the accident is injured, becomes ill, or has property damaged as a result of it. If you’ve been involved in an auto accident and would like to file an auto accident claim without a lawyer, here are five tips that will help you get started:
Check your auto insurance coverage.
The first thing you’ll want to do is check your auto insurance coverage, as well as your state’s minimum liability laws. If you have insurance, then filing a claim will help you recover any out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, like property damage or medical bills.
To file a claim, you will likely need to provide your insurance company with a police report or accident report, the names and contact information of any other drivers involved, as well as a written statement describing what happened. Be sure to check your policy to see if there are any specific requirements you’ll need to meet to file a claim.
Gather the necessary information.
Now that you know how to file an auto accident claim without a lawyer, you’ll also want to make sure you gather the necessary information. This includes the names and contact information of everyone involved, insurance information, a police report, a written statement about what happened, photos of any damage; and any other information that will help you or your lawyer better understand the accident.
It’s important to note that, should your accident involve another driver who has no insurance or very little insurance, you may have to wait quite sometime before you receive compensation for your damages. In these cases, it’s always best to file a claim with your own insurance company as soon as possible so that you can receive compensation for your losses as soon as possible.
Put Time and Resources Into Investigating the Car Accident
Your car accident injuries could keep you physically, mentally, and financially preoccupied for weeks or even months. We understand you may not be in a position to invest the time or resources a successful personal injury case requires.
However, that shouldn’t mean you have to miss out on compensation from the liable party.
The point of hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent you is to have someone on your side taking care of every legal detail so you don’t have to. Attorneys work on car accident cases every day, so they know what is required to meet your goals and guide you through a successful recovery. We’ll handle it all, including:
- Collecting evidence
- Analyzing the car accident report
- Interviewing witnesses
- Consulting experts like collision reconstructionist
- Compiling everything we find into a strong case for financial recovery
Attorneys give their clients’ cases the attention they need to seek fair compensation.
Bring in Reliable Experts When Necessary to Support Your Claim
Sometimes, input from industry experts is necessary to understand what caused a car accident and the full extent of the damages. When possible, your lawyer will work with such experts to ensure they paint a comprehensive picture for the insurance company and provide enough evidence to support your right to compensation.
For instance, medical experts can shed light on the seriousness of your injuries and provide a prognosis, explaining what your recovery will look like. This information will help the legal team estimate your future medical expenses.
Identify Collision Damages You Might Not Know You Can Recover
If this is your first auto accident, you may not be aware of all the damages you could recover. The effects of a car accident can be far-reaching, touching many areas of your life both now and in the future. A lawyer will discuss your case and injuries with you, taking the time to identify your current losses as well as all of your potential future damages.
For example, you could collect compensation for:
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Transportation to doctor’s appointments
- Missing out on promotions or other work benefits due to your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced earning capacity in the future
- Disfigurement or disability
- Loss of consortium (intimacy with your spouse)
The goal is to ensure that you are not left footing the bill after your claim resolves. Note that car accident compensation depends on the specific damages you suffered. In addition, state laws may limit the type and amount of damages you can seek from the liable party.
Decide what type of claim you’re going to make.
If you have auto insurance, you’re going to need to decide what type of claim you’re going to make. There are two types of claims: collision and comprehensive. Collision: This is the cost of repairs to your car. Comprehensive: This is the cost of any damage or loss that isn’t your car that happened as a result of the accident.
For example, if you had goods in your car and they got damaged, you would file a comprehensive claim. For most people, the best way to approach this is to file a comprehensive claim for any damage caused by the accident that wasn’t your car. This way, you can get your car repaired quickly and easily, while also filing a claim for any other losses you may have incurred, such as medical bills or property damage.
Communicate with the other driver’s insurance company.
Now that you’ve filed an auto accident claim without a lawyer and have decided what type of claim you want to make, it’s important to communicate with the other driver’s insurance company. You can do this by requesting a claim form, which you can usually find on the company’s website.
There are also several auto accident claim apps that can help guide you through the process. Whatever medium you choose, remember to be professional and courteous. The more polite and amiable you are, the more likely the other driver’s insurance company will be to work with you.
Final Words: Bottom Line
As you can see, there are several ways to file an auto accident claim without a lawyer. The most important thing to remember is to stay calm, cool, and collected and to collect all of the necessary information as soon as possible. This will make the filing process significantly easier and less stressful. In addition, you should always try to communicate with the other driver’s insurance company as soon as possible, as this will make the process go much more smoothly.
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