What all you need to know about your car insurance claim

What all you need to know about your car insurance claim

Each state is governed by its own set of legalities for car insurance. Whether you’re driving in your home state or out of state, you must possess an automobile insurance policy that complies with the norms established by the state in which your vehicle is listed. The law mandates that every registered vehicle should possess continual liability insurance coverage given by an institution authorized to do business in the state.

What is liability insurance?

It implies reimbursement for medical expenses, vehicle destruction, and other costs for anyone wounded in an accident by your fault. You must have your insurance policy with more coverage than the compulsory minimums. If the collision costs go beyond the sum of your policy, you’d be  personally liable to compensate for the pending expenditure. Minimum liability insurance coverage sums:

  • $30,000 for bodily injury (one person)
  • $60,000 for bodily injury (2 or more people)
  • $25,000 property damage

You must also possess uninsured motorist coverage.

What to do if you get in a car accident?

  • Share details of the accident with the nearest highway patrol or local police,
  • If wounded, get immediate medical treatment,
  • Obtain the police report of your mishap;
  • Avoid communication with an insurance agent or inspector without your lawyer,
  • Click photos of the affected vehicles, of the location, and even of your bruises 
  • Record details of the injury, about the time of the day, weather conditions, approximate pace of vehicle, potential spectators to the mishap, any other associated information,
  • Document  any statements of the person who hurt you, or any eyewitness(es), 
  • Journal your reactions and emotions about the trauma,
  • Guide your employer, if the car collision was associated to your employment
  • Seek legal guidance to know who you may have a right of lawful action against, and to check if the events of your trauma may lead to redemption, damages, or requirement of a legal adviser.

How to file an insurance claim for a car accident?

When you’re not at fault, you can file a claim in one of 3 ways:

1. File a claim with your own insurer.

Firstly, you must inform your insurance company without delay after a car collision.Then, your insurance firm will solicit remuneration from the at-fault motorist's insurance company.

2. File a claim with the other driver's insurer.

You may even go straight to the at-fault driver’s insurance firm. Provide the insurance company details of the driver's insurance policy number, driver's license number and other information. Then, follow up with written notice that you're intending to file a claim.

3. File a personal injury lawsuit.

This is your last-resort. The insurance company will be reluctant to settle a claim if there are questions about who's liable.

How much time do you get to file a claim?

The “statute of limitation” laws put restraints on the duration of waiting period to register a personal injury suit. Different lawsuits have different statute of limitations. These may vary from 1 year to 10 years, relying on many state laws and the kind of case. Usually, personal injury claims need to be presented within three years of the date when the physical injury was or should have been evident. An unjust act of death must be put forward within two years from the date of death. If a claim is not filed timely, you may be denied reimbursement. 

How long does it take to settle your claim?

A definite answer cannot be predicted unless sufficient information is available about the claim. If the claim is not resolved before the statute of limitations runs out, then it needs to be registered in court within three years from the time of the mishap or two years in case there is an unjust death claim. The usual duration to resolve the claim is based on aspects like the gravity of the trauma, the span of medical treatment, the subsequent medical expenses to be borne, the prompt action of providers and others to supply medical aid, and the coordination of the insurance bearers. 

We face distressing deferrals from the dereliction of insurance carriers and healthcare professionals in receiving comprehensive details that we require to settle liens in spite of our persistent endeavors to acquire it. In nearly every grave injury or demise claim, complexities arise about legal responsibility, compensation, liens, and future care. Wilson Williams Law has a dedicated medical department of qualified workforce and lawyers who are pro at arbitration with insurance firms, Medicare, Medicaid, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that settlements are executed in favor of our clients.