Yes, you should contact your insurance company even if the accident or situation was not your fault. However, before speaking to your insurance company, contact an accident lawyer to discuss the implications of filing a claim. Your Arkansas personal injury lawyer can assist you through the legal process and answer any questions you might have about your claim.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me With My Insurance Company?
Even if you are not at fault, reporting the incident ensures you are properly covered and your rights are protected. Here is how an accident injury attorney can help throughout the process.
Liability Determination
In some cases, your insurer can help investigate the situation and determine fault, even if it seems clear that you are not responsible for causing the crash. Having an attorney work for you means that you can feel confident that you will not be taken advantage of by any insurance company that wants to avoid making a payment.
Documentation
Your insurance company can also help document the accident, ensuring you have everything you need for any potential legal or claims process. Having an attorney will help keep track of all the documentation that can come with filing an insurance claim.
Insurance Coverage
Filing a claim, even if you did not cause the accident, might be required by your insurance company to keep your coverage. Depending on your policy, your insurance might cover your damages or injuries initially, and then you might seek reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurance through a process called subrogation. An Arkansas personal injury lawyer can help assist through subrogation.
Filing a Claim
An Arkansas personal injury lawyer can help file a claim with your insurance company. Your insurance company may help file a claim to cover your damages or medical expenses. They will assist with getting you the compensation you are entitled to, and in some cases, they may recover the costs from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Steps To Filing An Insurance Claim After An Accident
Filing an insurance claim after an accident involves several critical steps to ensure you are fully compensated. Here is a step-by-step guide.
By following these steps and keeping thorough documentation, you will be in a strong position to handle your insurance claim and ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to after an accident.
Consider Hiring a Lawyer
You should always consider getting legal representation if you have suffered an injury in an accident. If the other party’s insurance denies fault or the accident is complex, you should consult with an accident lawyer to help negotiate or resolve disputes. An attorney can be valuable as you navigate the often-complex insurance claims process.
File a Police Report
If required by law or if there is significant damage or injury, file a police report. This is especially important for determining fault and providing documentation for your claim. Ask for a copy of the police report or the case number, as your insurer may need.
Get Repair Estimates
If the damage is to your vehicle, get repair estimates from approved auto repair shops. Once your claim is approved, you may be asked to authorize repairs before they begin.
Notify Your Insurance Company
You will need to notify your insurance company after getting into an accident, even if the accident was not your fault. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible. You can usually notify the company with a phone call, through your online portal, or via a mobile app.
While speaking to an insurance adjuster, be sure to provide them with as many details as possible. Tell the insurance company about all the relevant information you have access to, including the accident description, details of other parties involved in the crash, the police reports, any photos or documents, etc.
Monitor Your Claim’s Progress
After filing an insurance claim, you will want to monitor its progress closely. Stay in touch with your insurer throughout the process to ensure everything is moving forward, and ask for any updates. If your insurer determines you are not at fault, they will issue a settlement offer for your damages minus any deductible.
Work With Insurance Adjusters
It is vital to work with the insurance adjusters who are assigned to handle your claim. Your insurance company might send an adjuster to assess the damages to your vehicle or property. Be prepared to provide them with all relevant information, documents, and evidence regarding the accident. Also, keep in regular contact with the adjuster to track the status of your claim.
Review Your Policy
Review the terms of your insurance policy after a car accident. Before proceeding, review your policy to understand the coverage and deductible. Your policy will determine whether your damages or injuries are covered. Check if your policy includes rental reimbursement if you need a rental car.
Receive Your Settlement
You might receive a financial settlement after an accident. After your claim is processed and approved, you will receive payment for your damages or medical bills. Depending on your policy and the details of the accident. Keep in mind that your deductible may be taken from the settlement amount.
What Should I Look For While Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney?
The attorney you hire and the legal team you create can make all the difference in receiving financial compensation for your accident-related losses. Here are some things to look for in a qualified personal injury attorney.
Experience
You should hire an experienced personal injury attorney. Not only should the attorney be experienced with accident cases, but they should also have experience handling cases similar to yours. Choose an attorney who knows personal injury law. Their experience should include both settlement and trial outcomes.
Track Record
You want an attorney with a successful track record. Ask about their past settlements or verdicts, especially for similar cases. A strong record of favorable outcomes can demonstrate their ability to get results. Inquire about their handling of cases and how they plan to pursue compensation for you.
Communication Skills
The attorney you hire and their team should have a successful track record, including settlements and court verdicts. Ask the lawyer that you are considering about their past settlements or verdicts, especially for cases similar to yours. A strong record of favorable outcomes can demonstrate their ability to get results. Inquire about their handling of cases and how they plan to pursue compensation for you.
Reputation
You should get an idea about the lawyer and their firm’s reputation before you commit to hiring an attorney. Read reviews and testimonials from past clients on websites like Google and Yelp or legal-specific platforms like Avvo.
You can learn more about an attorney’s reputation by checking for recommendations or endorsements from other lawyers, especially those practicing personal injury law.
Finally, look for accolades or recognitions from legal associations, like the American Association for Justice.
Professionalism and Trustworthiness
Of course, the attorney that you choose should be trustworthy and professional. The attorney should have a strong sense of professionalism, including clear billing practices, ethical standards, and respect for deadlines. Personal injury cases often involve sensitive issues, so feeling comfortable with your attorney is vital. Trust your instincts and ensure the accident injury attorney is someone you can rely on for your case.
Availability and Attention
Inquire about their caseload to ensure they have the time and resources to handle your case effectively. Ensure they will personally manage your case and not pass it on to another lawyer or paralegal. You want an attorney who can give you the attention your case deserves.
What Compensation Is Typically Available After a Personal Injury Accident?
The amount of compensation available after a personal injury accident depends heavily on the surrounding facts and circumstances. Different types of losses are usually categorized into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive. Each type of loss is explained in more detail below.
Economic Damages
Economic damages include the physical and tangible losses an accident victim faces for which they might be entitled to receive compensation. Economic losses can include a variety of things, but often include the following examples:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost income
- Lost earning capacity or earning potential
- Property damage
An insurance claim might be the best bet to ensure your losses are covered after an accident. Speak to an attorney to discover your rights to financial compensation after an accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic losses include the intangible losses that accident victims face. Accident victims might be entitled to recover for these intangible losses. Discuss the availability of non-economic damages in your case.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Proving non-economic losses can be difficult. Having an attorney is the best way to ensure you get everything you deserve after an accident. Speak to an attorney today to learn about the availability of recovering non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not awarded to plaintiffs as a means of compensation. On the contrary, a court might award an accident victim punitive damages to punish a defendant for their egregious behavior. Punitive damages are not always available, and are not available in every state. Speak to your accident injury lawyer to learn more about the potential for recovering punitive damages from your accident.
Compensation After An Accident
In addition to the above, an accident victim can recover compensation for other damages after a personal injury. Here are some of the most common types of additional damages.
Wrongful Death
In the tragic event that the injury results in death, the family or estate of the deceased may seek compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. These damages can include the following.
Loss of Services
The victim’s family might be entitled to recover for the loss of the deceased family member’s services. Compensation for the loss of household services or assistance the deceased would have provided, such as childcare, cleaning, or caregiving.
Loss of Financial Support
Compensation for the income the deceased would have provided to their family had they survived the accident. Recovering for lost financial support is particularly important if the deceased is the sole or primary breadwinner for the family. Having the ability to recover from this type of loss can keep a family from facing financial ruin.
Loss of Companionship and Emotional Suffering
Damages for the emotional pain caused by the loss of a loved one, including the loss of emotional support, love, and companionship.
Funeral and Burial Expenses
Compensation for the costs associated with the funeral, burial, and other accident-related expenses. Funeral expenses can get quite expensive, so having the legal right to recover damages is vital to the deceased surviving family members.
Interest on Damages
In some cases, interest may be added to the awarded compensation from when the injury occurred until the payment is made. This interest is typically meant to compensate the victim for the time that has passed before receiving their full settlement.
Attorney’s Fees
In some instances, an accident victim can recover the money they spent on legal fees. The defendant or their insurance company may be required to pay the plaintiff’s attorney fees and court costs, particularly if they are found liable. In some personal injury cases, this may be included in the settlement.
Some of these losses can be hard to quantify. Contact an attorney to learn about the options to recover these additional damages.
Call An Accident Attorney Today!
There is no need to face collecting financial compensation alone after an accident. Contact an Arkansas personal injury lawyer if you or a loved one suffered an injury or were killed in an accident. Do not hesitate. Call an experienced accident lawyer today and get the help you deserve.
By hiring a reputable accident attorney, you are ensuring that your interests are protected. They have the knowledge and experience to effectively handle the insurance and give you peace of mind during a challenging time. Seek the assistance of a trusted attorney. Call today.