Accidents on the roads happen, no matter how hard we try to avoid them. However, a vehicle policy is not enough. It is important to know what to do if you are in an accident, and how to file an insurance claim.
Contacting the Appropriate Insurance Carriers
If you’re injured during the course of a car crash or other type of motor vehicle crash, then you must follow certain steps to obtain compensation from the responsible party. Although this is usually done through the insurance company of the at-fault company, it is possible to get compensation from your insurance provider in some circumstances.
In this case, for instance, you could be required to make a claim through your insurance company if it was the result of a hit-and-run accident, or if you’re looking to recover financial compensation from the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage.
Providing a Statement
Once you’ve notified the relevant insurance company or firms of your accident, you’ll receive a phone call from an insurer’s claims rep. The representative for claims will need to get a written declaration from you (usually an audio recording) about the specific details of the accident as well as your injuries.
The insurer may want to have access to information like these:
- The time and place of the accident
- The specifics of the incident
- Details about your injuries as well as details on the medical bills you will be paying
- Other expenses resulting from the accident
The insurance company may request documentation for the cost of medical treatment and other costs
Deciding on the at Fault Party
After getting a declaration from you, and then analyzing other evidence and details, the insurer will decide the person who caused the incident. If it is determined you were not responsible, the insurance company will offer you the opportunity to settle. If you’re not satisfied with the settlement offered, then you may bargain with the insurance provider for an increase in the amount or bring the matter to court.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is a car accident attorney in St Pete. She focuses on personal injury, car accidents, and bicyclist injuries. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an auto accident attorney st. petersburg fl is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your individual situation.
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the ABA and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
