Driving is one of the most dangerous things that most of us have to do on a daily basis. Having to deal with car accidents, whether they involve you or a loved one, is daunting and extremely stressful on its own, let alone having to deal with an insurance company to compensate you for your troubles. From making sure that everyone involved in the accident is safe, to assess the damage that has occurred to your property; everything can get overwhelming pretty quickly.
The process of filing an insurance claim can be a real pain, but you will find that it is the only way to obtain compensation for the physical and mental distress you have suffered. An insurance adjuster will be assigned to assess the amount of the settlement you should receive to reimburse you for any damages that your vehicle sustained.
Since things can get complicated easily, we have put together a brief guide to help you with the post-accident necessary process.
Hire a Specialized Attorney
Since people who have been involved in car accidents will have to take care of car repairs or even replacements on top of medical bills in case of injuries, many might consider handling claims with the insurance company on their own without hiring a lawyer. Insurance is one of the biggest businesses out there. Its sole focus is gaining profit by minimizing loss. This means that even if you have enough skills to handle your claim, you are more likely to receive a much smaller settlement compared to the settlement you could reach with an astute lawyer. A good lawyer will have the experience and knowledge to deal with insurance companies after your accident, so you receive the compensation you deserve to the fullest.
Fault laws might vary from one state to another. Alabama, for instance, maintains strict fault laws. As the experts at https://bencelawfirm.com/car-accident-lawyer/ explain, drivers who were found to be even partially responsible for the accident in the state of Alabama won’t be able to even file a claim. This is when local, experienced car accident lawyers come into play to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve by fighting insurance companies’ claims. A specialized car accident lawyer focuses on compensating you for your medical bills; noneconomic damages including pain, emotional distress, and any suffering you have gone through; property damage, and lost wages.
Collect the Necessary Information
Even though the driver at fault has the responsibility of reporting the accident with all the important details to the police and his car insurer, you shouldn’t leave it to chance. Make sure that you get detailed and accurate information on the other party that is involved in the accident to be able to provide all the details when you have to. First and foremost, make sure to get the correct contact details of the other driver including their name, address, insurance company name, and insurance policy. Secondly, get statements and contact information from any witnesses. Last but not least, it goes a long way to document the accident using pictures of the damages whether they are regarding your property or your state after the accident. These pieces of evidence are crucial to bolstering your position on everything that has been involved in the accident.
Let Your Insurance Handle Your Medical Bills
Many clinics and private doctors have signed contracts with insurance companies with lower fees compared to what they would normally charge you. This has driven a lot of doctors to feel reluctant about billing insurance companies instead of their patients. They would rather that they receive their fees after you have reached a settlement. While this puts more money in doctors’ pockets, it puts much less money in yours. This is why, it’s much better that you insist that your doctor, chiropractor, or any other medical professional who treats you charge your insurance company directly as opposed to you paying for these services with your own money.
This means that when you receive the settlement, you will be able to receive the full amount of money for all the services you needed regardless of what your health coverage has paid for. While this might seem trivial to some people, many people, on the other hand, need this difference due to their financial responsibilities. After all, this money difference should go to you, the one who made regular payments over many years to the insurance company, instead of clinics.
Accidents are daunting on so many levels; physically, mentally, and financially. Making informed decisions and taking calculated steps is critical to minimize the damage. So be sure to find a reputable lawyer who has the power to get you a proper settlement that you deserve for any damages that you have endured.
