Most traffic accident cases are actually settled out of court. That is advantageous to complainants because it spares them the nightmare of a trial, plus they receive the compensation they need without having to wait. Even so, the method can be difficult, and mistakes can cost you a substantial portion of the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Follow these steps to get started:
Step 1: Contact the Insurance Company
The first part of settling a claim with your insurance firm will involve informing them about it. This will put the insurer on notice that you will be filing a claim. The insurance company will ask you a lot of questions about your accident. Some of these inquiries are nothing to worry about, but the company must still know your contact details, the type of your car, and when the incident happened.
Other questions can be problematic. They may ask if you are injured and try to get your opinion as to the cause of the accident. If you have been injured in an accident, the main thing you have to do is call an attorney to deal with any communication you may need with the insurance company.
Step 2: Do Your Homework
The next step is to gather all of the documentation concerning the accident. This will include:
A copy of police report from the scene of the accident.
- Copies of your medical records documenting your injuries and prescribed treatments resulting from your accident, your prognosis, and the limitations caused by your injuries.
- All bills containing your medical expenses, estimates relating to your vehicle’s maintenance or replacement, documentation of lost wages, and other monetary losses will be on-hand.
- Photos of the damage to your vehicle, your injuries, and the photos of the accident.
- You should also include any other documents or notes you have about the impact of your injuries on your daily life. This includes your inability to support your family, take part in hobbies and activities, and engage in basic daily activities.
This can be challenging if you suffer with pain and find it difficult to make it through the day. Akhavan Law Firm can assist you with this resource so you are able to focus on your recovery.
Step 3: Estimate What Your Claim is Worth
After compiling your documentation, it is important to decide the amount of compensation you are entitled to recover. In other words, you are determining the amount of compensation you will need to be made whole. Your claim for damages will consist of the following:
- Your medical costs, including those that are covered by your health insurance and out-of-pocket expenses, such as copays and deductibles.
- Your lost salary if you are unable to return to work following the injury or need to take days off to visit doctors and physical therapy.
- The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
- Your suffering and pain
Step 4: Issue the Demand Letter
Once you’ve reached a fair estimate of the compensation you deserve, the next step is to send a letter to the insurance company requesting that they pay that amount. There is no specific formula that must be followed, but the letter should provide enough information and documentation to provide adequate support.
Step 5: Negotiate the Claim
Insurance providers usually don’t pay the full amount being requested. Instead, they will provide a counter-offer. At this point, you may choose to accept the counter-offer or come back with a new offer. This is a situation where working with Akhavan Law Firm is a great thing because they possess appropriate negotiation abilities and auto accident claims experience to be able to help you receive the absolute best amount of reimbursement. Click the button below to book a FREE consultation call to get started.