If you have been in an accident, you are probably wondering how you will pay all of your bills. If you were injured due to another person’s negligence, you could file a claim with their insurance company.
When you file a claim, the insurance company will expect to have specific documentation on your accident. The more documentation you have, the more likely you will receive a fair settlement amount.
An insurance company will try to keep its money in-house like any other business. It is crucial to be able to prove everything that you claim.
Being injured in an accident can be very painful, and recovering from your injuries can be time-consuming and expensive. Still, it is imperative to document your expenses every step of the way.
What to do at The Scene
According to Phoenix car accident lawyers Wattel & York, there is specific evidence that you can collect at the scene of the accident.
In a car accident, you must pull over to the side of the road and see if anyone is hurt. You should contact the police right away and wait for them to arrive. You should never admit guilt when they come, even if you think you caused the accident. There may be facts of which you are unaware.
If you have a slip and fall accident at a business, you must notify the manager. The manager will have you fill out an accident report, and they will provide you with the company’s insurance information. If you slip and fall at someone’s home, the homeowner should give you their insurance information.
You should get the name and telephone number of any witnesses who may have seen the accident. You should also get the names, telephone numbers, and insurance information of the other drivers involved in the accident.
Ask the police officer at the scene for a copy of the accident report. You should take pictures of the stage with your cell phone if possible. You should also find out if any businesses in the area have security cameras that may have captured the accident.
If paramedics arrive and offer you treatment, you should never refuse; if they instruct you to go to the hospital, you should. You should always see a doctor after an accident, even if you feel fine, because some injuries are not immediately apparent.
Evidence from the Doctor
Be sure to ask any doctors you see for a detailed medical report of your injuries. You should save the results of x-rays and MRIs and the bills you get for medical treatment. You should protect the accounts from any alternative therapy you have as well. Alternative medicine may include:
- Massages
- Floatation therapy
- Cryogenic therapy
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure
Save the receipts from any medications you take, whether prescription or non-prescription. There are some things an insurer may refuse to pay, but they are less likely to deny documented expenses. If you end up having to go to court, you will be rewarded for your tenacity.
Evidence of Lost Wages
Taking care of injuries takes a lot of time; chances are, you will have to miss work time to go to your doctor’s appointments. If you require suYou will likely miss much work fiery because of your injuries, you will probably work, you miss wages.
It would be best if you got your company’s HR department to write you a letter stating the number of hours you have missed. If you are self-employed, you should write a letter and make a copy of your tax returns for the last two years.
Evidence of Extra Expenses
It is pretty hard to vacuum when you have a broken arm, and it’s harder to scrub the floor if you can’t kneel because your leg is broken. You may have needed a cleaning service to take care of your home during recovery.
You may have needed assistance with child care if you have little ones. You will want to keep a record of expenses for babysitting and after-school programs that your children require.
In many cases, people who are injured cannot drive. If you need to take a ride-share service to go to work or your medical appointments, insurance should also pay for that, so you should save the bills.
Evidence of Canceled Plans
You may be entitled to compensation if you have missed a major life event due to your injuries. For example, if you have a non-refundable airplane ticket and miss your flight, you should save the receipt and the ticket. If you missed the wedding or funeral of an immediate relative, it is a good idea to document that as well.
Calling an Insurance Company
When another person causes your injuries, their insurance should pay you. Once you have gathered your evidence, you should call the insurance company and file an initial report. They will tell you to send in all of your documentation.
An insurance investigator will contact you and ask you questions about the accident. The insurance company will ask to record the phone call, but you are under no legal obligation to let them. Most lawyers would tell you not to let anyone record your call.
Once an insurance adjuster reviews all the evidence in your case, they will approve or deny your claim. If they agree, they will make you a settlement offer. It would help to talk to a personal injury lawyer before accepting that offer.
Getting injured in an accident can be a devastating experience. If you collect all of the proper evidence and find a great attorney, you can get the compensation you need to heal.