If you are involved in an accident through no fault of your own that causes you injury or loss, you are entitled to compensation. This doesn’t mean that you will automatically receive it, however. You need to take these four steps in order to get the money that you deserve from your road accident compensation claims.
The first thing you should do after getting involved in an accident is to call the police. Even if the damage looks minor, you never know what health problems you may encounter a few days later or what health problems the other driver might encounter a few days later. The police officer will take statements, determine the fault and type up an official report. All of this information can come in very handy in the middle of a court case.
2. Gather Evidence
In order to make a compensation claim and win, you will need as much evidence as you can gather to make your case. Take pictures of the damage to both cars as well as any injuries you sustain. Get statements from the other driver and from the other witnesses who were at the scene. See a doctor to obtain an official medical record or a mechanic to get a repair estimate. If you miss work because of your injury, get a written note from your boss that details how much pay you have missed because of the accident. If you have medical expenses, keep the receipts. Note every detail you can think of, because you never know what will come in handy later.
3. Call a Good Lawyer
Insurance companies are in the business to make money, and they often will not pay you without a fight. Before you even contact the insurance company, call a good injury lawyer. Lawyers know the laws and all of the loopholes and tricks that dishonest insurance companies will try. Your lawyer will walk you through the claim process and will fight for you to get the money that you need and deserve without all of the hassle from the insurance company.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
Lastly, contact your insurance company and see what steps you need to make a claim. You may be able to call, upload pictures online or fax paperwork over, or you may be required to mail certain documents to an address they provide. Make sure you follow all of the steps exactly and in a timely fashion, and don’t say or submit anything that your lawyer advises you not to. Your insurance agent should be able to walk you through the steps you need to take, with a little prodding from your lawyer if necessary.
While accidents are never enjoyable, the process can be a minor nuisance instead of a major hassle. Simply follow these four steps, and submitting and winning your claim will be much easier for you. Then you can get the money you deserve and continue on with your life like nothing ever happened.