Road accidents are a common cause of injury and death in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 1.5 million people are injured, and 30,000 people die in motor vehicle accidents every year. If you’ve been injured or a loved one got killed in a collision with a negligent motorist, contact an attorney immediately. The NHTSA has a valuable resource to help you understand and navigate your options for compensating your losses. When you’re in an accident, the last thing on your mind would be the claim process. But since you cannot reverse the situation, getting a claim can be your only option as it can at the least cover the treatment and maintenance costs.
Now, a competent road accident attorney can help you out with the entire compensation process. But you’d want to do your fair share of research regardless of whether you’ve experienced a minor car accident or sustained common bike accident injuries. The process can be time-consuming, and sometimes you need to file a claim even if it involves someone else’s negligence (the involved driver’s insurance can cover your treatment costs).
Get Medical Attention
If you or somebody you know is involved in a road accident, the first thing you should do is to seek medical attention. Even if your injury is not visible, you should get a check-up just to be safe. This is part of the process of filing a claim for a road accident.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company once you have tended to your injury. While you can file a claim and request compensation without assistance, it is always better to do it with the assistance of the insurance company. It has several benefits. First, the insurance company will guide you through the entire process of filing a claim. In some cases, they will also assign a legal team similar to the lines at GJEL Accident Attorneys (visit their website to know more) or a similar law firm to handle the remaining processes. In addition to this, they will try their best to reach out to the right people to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve. They will also take care of all the paperwork and handle all legal proceedings for you. With the assistance of the insurance company, you will not have to worry about anything.
Take Pictures / Write Down Everything
Whether you’re the driver, passenger, or pedestrian, it’s scary and stressful when you’ve been in a road accident. The immediate priority should be to ensure anyone involved in the accident receives first aid and is safe. Subsequently, you should contact the police to report the incident and give a detailed account of the accident along with information about the vehicles and any witnesses who were present. Don’t forget to take photographs of the vehicles, drivers, and the scene as it would serve as strong evidence in the court. This way, when you reach out to Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys (or from a different legal firm), you would have all the necessary information to make your case and successfully prosecute the responsible party.
Write Down Expenses Related To Your Claim
If you’re in an accident, there are a host of steps you need to take in order to file a successful claim. Along with exchanging information with the other party, documenting the incident with photos or video, and calling the local authorities, you also need to gather the receipts for related expenses. These include the repairs to your vehicle, medical bills, towing fees, rental car fees, and the costs of any loss of income due to the accident.
Speak With An Attorney
Getting into a road accident can be a scary experience, leaving you with serious injuries that may require medical attention, physical therapy, and thousands of dollars in bills. And while filing a claim may seem like the easier option, the processes can be quite long and complicated. So, it is in your best interest to hire a car or truck accident lawyer depending on the nature of the accident. Once you do connect with a lawyer or attorney, convey the details of the incident so that they can assist you in filing a claim.
Road accidents are a common occurrence, and when you or someone you love is involved in one, knowing how to file a road accident claim is important. The safest thing a driver can do is to stay in control of a vehicle at all times. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. If you’ve been involved in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, property damage, lost wages, and more. However, you should understand how to file a claim so you can receive the money you deserve.