20 Things You Should Be Educated About Motor Vehicle Law
How to Document a Motor Vehicle Claim
A motor vehicle claim is the process of filing a report with your insurance company following an accident. This report will allow them to access your coverage and determine the amount they will cover the damages.
You must submit your claim as quickly as you can following the incident. You will need to have the police report as well as your insurance card or declaration pages.
What to do after an accident
As soon as you notice a collision take photos and video from different angles to capture the accident. The scene can change rapidly witnesses may leave and evidence could disappear.
If you are able, take note of all drivers' names telephone numbers, addresses, and insurance information. Note the year, model, and make of each vehicle, in addition to any other important information like damaged or license plate number.
Asking every driver if they were wearing seatbelts if they had passengers along with them, and noting their gender and age is also helpful. In many cases the injuries that result from motor vehicle accidents don't appear until some days after the incident. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as you can even if it appears that you're not injured.
If you're able to, move vehicles out of traffic to avoid further injuries or damage. Also put up flares or reflective emergency triangles to stop other drivers from hitting them.
Inform the authorities if you can. This is important to do even if you think the incident was minor, because the other driver might later claim that the accident was not their fault and their insurance provider could refuse to pay your claim.
Getting Started
A claim is the process by which you inform your insurer of a loss and ask them for the cost. This could be the cost of repairs to a vehicle, or paying medical expenses caused by an accident.
Before you file a claim, make sure you have all of the information that you need to file your claim, including contact information for everyone involved, receipts for personal property damaged and any medical bills. Also, you should have the accident report along with photographs of any damage.
Your insurance company will assign a claim adjuster who will be the person in charge of your claim. motor vehicle accident attorney nashua will review all the details you've provided right after the accident and conduct an investigation of their own. This will allow them to determine the cause of the accident as well as who is at fault.
Your adjuster will inspect your vehicle once they've figured out the extent of the damage. You may be present at the inspection, or you can give a list of repair quotes from local auto shops or contractors.
If the insurance provider believes that the damage to your vehicle is too costly to fix they will issue you an estimate of the value of your vehicle. This will permit you to purchase a new one or use it to pay for the remaining lease or loan payments. If you file a claim, your insurance premiums could rise. Do everything you can to show that the incident wasn't your fault.
Documenting the incident
If you're involved in a crash, recording the accident is essential. Insurance companies are looking for documentation that can support the claims you or the other party makes. In fact the evidence collected and documented could make or break most cases. It's important to have all of the information whether it's pictures of the scene of the accident and witness statements, or medical records that demonstrate consistent treatment.
Note down the license number, as well as vehicle details of the driver at the time of the accident. Also, record the names and contact numbers of witnesses. If possible, take photos or create an outline of the accident scene. This will help you understand what happened at the site of the crash, and what caused it.
Documentation also includes details about the accident, including the location at which it occurred and the direction of travel, as well as any landmarks or other relevant areas. It's important to record the details of any injuries that were sustained in the accident, as well. It's also essential to note the extent of any damage that occurred, and the way it was caused. Documenting the accident is essential because over time, memories fade and stories change. It's an excellent way to share the whole truth. Even if you are at fault having the facts documented will help in determining what liability, if any, should be transferred to you.
Need Help
After the police report has been filed, contact your insurance company as quickly as you can. Many insurance companies now allow you to make a claim using your smartphone or tablet. It is also advisable to request that your insurance company send you an invoice for the value of your vehicle. This is helpful should you decide to purchase an additional vehicle and your current vehicle is "totaled". If you're still carrying a loan on your current vehicle and it is paid off, it will pay the balance and/or lower your monthly payment.
Your representative will ask you a series of questions and provide you with documents to fill in. It is essential to be truthful and precise when supplying information. It could hurt your case if you are found to have not provided accurate information.
If you've been injured by the accident, schedule an appointment with your doctor right away to make sure that the bones are set correctly and that any other injuries are recorded for the claim process. Getting to the doctor soon also ensures that your medical expenses are covered by the No-Fault benefits of the accident.
If your No-Fault claim is denied by the insurance company, or you want to pursue a liability claim for pain and suffering, or other damages, you will have to file a suit. If you do this it's a good idea to have a seasoned lawyer by your side.