Car Accident: 3 Tips For Filing A Property Damage Claim
Property damage claims are necessary when you are in a car accident that caused damage to your vehicle, and the contents inside your vehicle. It may seem like a daunting task, but filing the claim is important if you want the benefits you are entitled to. Here are some helpful tips for filing a property damage claim following a car accident.
Get the Right Evidence
Whenever you plan to file a claim, you need to have the right evidence. If your vehicle is damaged due to a car accident, make sure you gather evidence at the scene if you are able to. The only exception is if you are severely injured and don't get the opportunity to do so. Otherwise, take as many pictures as you can. You want pictures of the entire scene, beginning with your own vehicle. Take pictures of the damage inside and outside of the vehicle, as well as the other vehicle in position to yours. This should let the courts determine who was at fault for the accident. If anything in the road caused the accident, such as a pothole, it is a good idea to photograph that as well. When you are gathering evidence, get the names of any witnesses you see around.
Speak With the Driver
Hopefully the driver stuck around after the accident so you can get their information. Write down their insurance information, as well as their name, phone number, address, and vehicle identification. You need their personal info just in case their car insurance policy is no longer valid. If they fled the scene, it will be more difficult, but not impossible. You need to rely on the physical description of their car, and hopefully a witness in your area got some of their license plate. If you were able to speak with them and get valid insurance information, that will be very useful when it comes to filing the claim.
File the Accident With Your Insurance Company
Finally, make sure you contact your insurance company. The insurance company representative will send someone out to your location to look at the damage inside and outside your vehicle. They will also give you instructions on filling out the right paperwork for your claim. Be as detailed as possible in the description of what happened during the accident and include any evidence you have gathered so far.
If for some reason the original claim is denied, you can file an appeal. If this happens, contact a personal injury attorney to handle your case. For more information, contact Burgess & Perigard or a similar firm.