How to Report Your Accident to Your Insurance Company

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Report car accident to Insurance CompanyThe shock of suffering injuries in an automobile accident can leave you with a lot of questions. You might wonder whether or not to hire a lawyer, how you will be able to afford medical treatment, and whether you will be able to earn money as you recover. Filing an injury claim with an insurance company allows you to seek compensation for your losses. Understanding how to report the accident to the insurance company is the first step toward recovering the compensation you deserve.

When Should I Report a Car Accident to My Insurance Company?

Generally, you should report most car accidents to your insurance company immediately. Doing so will help to protect you financially if you have received injuries or if your property has sustained damage.

You must report any accident that involves other vehicles, as well as accidents that cause injuries to anyone. The same is true for accidents that cause significant damage to your own car, other vehicles, or fixtures such as fences or light posts.

You might choose not to report an accident if your vehicle was the only one involved, especially if the damage is negligible and no injuries occurred. For example, if your car receives a scrape from your mailbox as you back out of your driveway, you might choose to pay for the repairs yourself. Doing so can help to keep your premium from rising.

How Do I Report an Accident?

After an accident with another vehicle, you should exchange insurance information with the drivers involved. In most cases, you will want to report the accident both to your own insurance company and to that of the other driver. You can do so via the company’s website or by calling their phone number. You will need to provide them with:

Your name and the names of any other drivers

  • The policy number to which you will be filing the claim (yours or the other driver’s)
  • License numbers of all drivers involved
  • Location of the accident
  • Time and date of the accident
  • A general description of what happened
  • Names and contact information of any witnesses
  • The police report from the responding officer

When you fill out the form or speak to the insurance adjuster, do not admit fault in any way. Even if you believe that you are partially to blame for the accident, do not apologize to anyone. In the heat of the moment, you may not have a clear sense of what actually occurred. Furthermore, insurance adjusters look for ways to get you to admit fault. Even your own insurance company will attempt to avoid paying a large sum of money. Do not give them a reason to devalue your claim.

Police officers, insurance companies, and attorneys will investigate the facts and circumstances of the accident in their own time. They may discover clear evidence that indicates that the other driver was behaving negligently. For now, you need only convey the simple facts of what happened without assuming any blame.

What Is a First-Party versus a Third-Party Claim?

Once you’ve reported the accident, you’ll need to file a claim with your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance company for any medical expenses you incur for your accident-related injuries. Because New York is a “no-fault” state, your PIP coverage will apply until the policy limits are reached. This is a “first-party” insurance claim.

If the other driver was uninsured or underinsured, you must make a first-party claim with your own insurance company. First-party claims also become necessary in a hit-and-run accident where you cannot identify and locate the at-fault driver.

A third-party claim occurs when you seek compensation from the other driver’s insurance company. If you’ve used the entire amount of your PIP policy, you cannot file a third-party insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier unless you meet the serious injury threshold set out in NY law. If you meet that threshold, you are entitled to pursue compensation from the other driver’s policy.

Do I Need a Lawyer for an Insurance Claim?

Report car accident to Insurance CompanyInsurance companies will do everything they can to avoid paying out the compensation you deserve. Having an experienced lawyer on your side gives you the advantage of working with someone who knows how to communicate with insurance adjusters in a way that makes them take your case seriously.

Furthermore, a good lawyer will be prepared to take your claim to court if necessary. Because insurers generally want to avoid lawsuits, claimants with strong legal representation tend to receive greater compensation than those who attempt to file on their own.

What Type of Lawyer Handles Insurance Claims?

Personal injury lawyers, like the seasoned attorneys at Harris Keenan & Goldfarb have the experience, skills, and knowledge required to handle insurance claims. Our lawyers are exclusively dedicated to helping New Yorkers who were injured by the wrongdoing of others fight for the compensation they deserve.

Contact Us Today

If you suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident, contact Harris Keenan & Goldfarb today. We will handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company so that you can focus on your recovery.

Contact us online or call us at 800-PAIN-LAW for a free consultation today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When you have suffered an injury, it can be difficult to know what to do next. If the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. However, filing a personal injury claim can be a complex and time-consuming process. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal system and fight for the maximum possible compensation.

The first step is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. They will be able to review the facts of your case and advise you on whether or not you have a valid claim. Even if you do not have a strong case, an attorney may still be able to help you recover damages through negotiation with the other party’s insurance company. If your case does go to court, the judge will consider various factors in order to determine whether or not you are entitled to compensation. These factors can include the severity of your injury, the cost of your medical bills, and the amount of time you missed from work.

The answer depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the injury, the insurance coverage available, and the type of accident. In general, however, if you have suffered a serious injury that will require extensive medical treatment or result in long-term disability, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible about your legal options. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the complex claims process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a personal injury attorney. First, you want to make sure that the attorney has experience handling cases like yours. Second, you want to make sure that the attorney is licensed to practice in your state. Third, you want to ask about the attorney’s success rate. Fourth, you want to make sure that the attorney has a good reputation. Finally, you want to make sure that you feel comfortable with the attorney. Do not hesitate to reach out to us to schedule a free consultation to determine if we are the best choice for your case.

Once we decide to take on your case, we will then begin gathering evidence and investigating the accident. This may involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports, and obtaining medical records. Once we have gathered all the necessary information, we will then work with you to build a strong legal case. If an agreement can’t be reached out of court, our attorney will then take your case to trial. Throughout the entire process, your attorney will be by your side, fighting for the compensation you deserve.