Important Information to Know about Car Insurance Claims
Filing a claim with an insurance company should be done as soon as possible following an accident. Here, the personal injury attorneys at Murnane & O’Neill have provided information to ensure the process of filing a claim is as efficient as possible.
When filing a claim with an automobile insurance company, it is important to provide as much information as possible in a timely manner. The more information provided and the sooner it is reported, the more effectively and efficiently a claim can be processed.
When to File a Claim
A claim should be filed immediately following a collision; a claim can also be filed following the vandalization or theft of the car. A claim can also be filed to report damages from a non-accident-related event, such as fire or severe weather.
Contacting the Insurance Company
When contacting the insurance company to file a claim, one will need to provide his or her full name, policy number and start and end dates of the policy. He or she will also need to report information about the people and cars involved in the accident.
Claims Involving Injury
If the victim of the accident sustains injuries from the collision, the injuries will typically be covered in the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage. Prior to contacting the at-fault driver’s insurance company you should consult with an attorney. You should not even consider resolving your bodily injury claim until you have completed treatment and consulted with an attorney. One should document and report all injuries sustained from the accident, even minor bumps and bruises. It is important that to be assessed immediately following the accident; the longer a victim waits to report an injury, the more difficult it becomes to prove that these injuries were result of the accident.
Documentation
It is important to be sure the scene has been well documented. The insurance company will need the names, addresses and phone numbers of all drivers, passengers and witnesses as well as the driver’s license numbers and license plate numbers for all drivers. Do not assume that the other driver’s information will be accurately recorded in an accident report or exchange of information report generated by the police. Make sure to get photos of their insurance information and their driver’s license. If possible, take pictures or videos of weather and road conditions at the time of the accident, to provide further evidence for the claim.
If there has been an injury sustained from the accident, it is important to document all injuries, even seemingly minor bruises or cuts. It is also important to keep a record of all medical professionals seen following the accident and document all medical expenses related to the accident.
Consulting an Attorney
It is important that one receives proper compensation following an accident and an insurance company may try to undervalue the claim. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Murnane & O’Neill have handled thousands of car accident cases and can assess all aspects of the accident to ensure their clients attain the full value of their claim. To schedule a consultation, call us today!