When you’ve been hurt in an auto accident, the first thing you need to do is seek medical care for your injuries. The next step is to file an auto accident personal injury insurance claim with the guilty party’s insurance company. Car accident claims account for over 80 percent of all insurance injury claims, and there are several things you need to do to ensure that your settlement amount will cover all damages incurred.
How to File an Auto Accident Personal Injury Insurance Claim
Filing an auto accident personal injury insurance claim can be a complicated process, and there are several things to consider when submitting your paperwork. You can be compensated for several types of injuries and problems associated with the incident, including:
- Loss of wages and income
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Cost of medical bills
Insurance claim adjusters reviewing your case will assess the monetary damages associated with the incident, and multiply that amount based on the extent of your suffering. There is no set formula for arriving at the final dollar amount, so every situation is reviewed on a case by case basis. In the event you have incurred more serious injuries, such as quadriplegia or paraplegia, the insurance company may award more for pain and suffering, and your case may be subject to punitive damages.
Working with an Auto Accident Personal Injury Insurance Attorney
Even though you have the option to file an auto accident personal injury insurance claim yourself, you may prefer to seek guidance and assistance from an auto accident lawyer. Qualified and experienced personal injury attorneys will be able to evaluate the accident, review your medical records, and calculate the total amount of compensation you are eligible for. Auto accident attorneys can also negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf so you are not settling for an amount that is less than you deserve.
An experienced attorney will also do the following:
- Meet with medical professionals to evaluate the extent of your injuries
- Consult with witnesses who were at the accident scene
- Review your medical history and medical evaluations to identify all of the injuries you have sustained
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Review photographs and other forms of evidence from the accident scene
Working with an auto accident personal injury insurance claim lawyer can help you get more compensation for your short-term and long-term injuries. Being in an auto accident can be a very traumatic experience, and it’s important that you are fully compensated for all of the pain, suffering and employment losses you have experienced.
