If a person was hurt in a collision, there are easy steps to make filing a bodily injury claim easier. Stay calm and make good decisions. This is important because your actions can affect the reimbursement received from car insurance companies. We’re here to help inform you about the bodily injury settlement and claims process.
Seek Medical Treatment
Visit a doctor quickly so they can check you and offer aid and if a person is severely injured on-scene, wait until emergency responders arrive to make any movements. This may protect you from any future personal injury claim you may need to make.
Sometimes symptoms can take hours to appear. It’s common to leave an accident feeling fine, and then experience pain and suffering caused by soreness and muscle spasms days later. If you wait to get treatment, it may be harder to prove these symptoms were caused by the collision.
If the effect of the injuries is delayed, it can hurt your recovery. The longer you wait for medical attention, the easier it becomes for an insurance company to deny your claims. If a doctor does find an injury, keep up with all appointments and medical treatments. Missing an appointment can help an insurance company argue that the injuries reported were not severe or valid.
If You Are Not At Fault
Firstly, if you’re not at fault, the other driver’s coverage may cover the injuries. However, you’ll need to contact the driver’s insurance immediately to begin the process.
An investigation will begin and a record off all expenses accumulated will be required, which can take weeks, months or even years. Similarly, if the driver does not have enough coverage, they may have to pay for medical expenses out of pocket.
If You Are At Fault
You will have to pay for the victim’s medical/auto bills if you are at fault for the property damage, which will be determined by your insurance company. The more coverage you have, the less likely you are to have to pay out of pocket.
Moreover, other coverages that could help include the following:
Medical Payment Coverage
This helps cover injuries suffered by your passengers and injuries to yourself if you are hit by a car. It also covers necessary dental care following a car accident and funeral costs.
Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage
This pays for injuries caused by a driver with little or no coverage.
Private Health Insurance Carrier
Injured parties may also use their own policy to cover part or all of the medical expenses for the injuries sustained.
Take Photographs Of The Car Accident, Injuries And Keep Notes
Take as many photographs as you can from every possible angle. Document damages including shattered glass, dents and all other body damages. When it is safe to do so, take pictures of all visible injuries.
To receive compensation from an insurance company, keep detailed notes of all injuries and medical treatment. Keep the name, phone number and receipts for all accident-related professionals you visit. Make sure to write down all the medication you needed. Be sure to also write down any medical devices used such as neck braces and wheelchairs.
It’s also helpful to:
Keep An Injuries And Medical Care Journal
It is impossible to keep a mental note of everything that happens after a car accident. No matter how traumatic an accident may be, insurance companies and lawsuits require facts.
What To Include
It’s very important to document everything. Include weather conditions, witnesses and any other details you can. This can help track all issues related to an accident. Include every way the accident and the related insured have affected your life.
Also, be sure to include lost wages and opportunities. This can be a crucial part of the investigation, so it is important to give accurate details.
When To Make An Entry
Make a journal entry whenever you have something new to report, good or bad. Write as often as you can until all filed lawsuits are resolved.
It may be helpful to share your journal with physicians, because they may include this information in your medical records. Insurance adjusters are more likely to rely on these records than what an injured person says.
Keep And Organize All Correspondence
Keep a record of all interactions with medical professionals, including bill statements and receipts. Additionally, this even includes emails, notes, phone calls and doctors’ appointments.
File A Police Report And Request A Personal Copy
This report has information that the insurance company will need. It is also an unbiased third-party report of an accident. The police report will include:
- Accident location
- Date and time
- Damages to the cars involved
- Driver, passenger and witness injuries
- Driver, passenger and witness statements
More Information
Need to know more about a bodily injury settlement, as well as bodily injury claims? Our agents and customer service team are here to help with your bodily injury liability insurance needs. Call us at 1-888-949-6289 or visit an Insurance Navy location. Insurance Navy is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST, 7 days a week.
We also have a strong presence on social media, so like or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. After that, we can keep you updated on helpful information about personal injury cases, primary auto accident claims, and much more.
Lastly, we also have blogs that may help you with any questions you have. For instance, our blogs cover many different topics. From how often you should shop for car insurance, to information on the Uber rewards program.
