A car accident claim is a request for financial compensation from an insurance company by a driver. The driver, in this situation, typically has vehicle damage or a physical injury from a car accident. In the United States, about $170 billion in car accident claims payments are made by insurance companies each year. According to the Insurance Fact Book, the average claim for personal injury to individual drivers is about $20 thousand. Meanwhile, the average claim for vehicle damage is around $4,700. These payments can help drivers get their life back on the right track. However, they may be underpaid without an attorney as insurance companies try to settle for as little as possible. If you’d like to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, continue reading below. Sandel Law Firm will make sure you understand the benefits of an attorney. 

Right After An Accident - What Do You Need To Do?

Following a car accident, getting caught up in the moment is easy. However, it’s important to your car accident claim that you obtain supporting evidence. Below, we’ve compiled nine pieces of evidence you need to gather. Think of it as a scavenger hunt that could get you $20 thousand. 

Collect the following information:

• The other car's details (plate, make, model and color)

• Names and ages of drivers and passengers (both parties)

• Accident location

• Your vehicle’s speed at the time of the accident

• The date and time of the accident

• Weather conditions

• Law enforcement arrival time, as well as their names and badge numbers

• Road conditions

• Witness information (contact numbers and addresses)

Can You Handle Car Accident Claims Yourself Legally?

Yes, you can handle car accident claims yourself! That is assuming three things. 

• You did not get severely injured in the accident
• You’re ready to gather all the evidence that we mentioned above
• You’re willing to face the insurance companies head-on and proceed with the negotiation process

However, if hurling those tasks onto yourself sounds miserable, handling your claim yourself may be unwise. The truth of the matter is that there’s no replacing a skilled car accident attorney. An attorney can manage all the intricate details of your car accident claim. And they can negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive an appropriate level of compensation. 

What Does A Car Accident Attorney Do?

Despite our endorsement, you may need more information before agreeing to work with a car accident attorney. That’s understandable. Here is a thorough list of an attorney’s general duties. (However, keep in mind that an attorney’s specific duties will vary depending on the complexity of your case.)

• Communicate with the other party’s insurance company
• Gather the necessary evidence concerning fault for the accident
• Organize all of your medical records and bills
• Obtain missing records by communicating with your health care providers
• Work alongside your doctors to ensure they provide the information you need to prove damages in your claim
• Organize and present the evidence to prove liability and damages
• Negotiate with lienholders on your claim to reduce the amount of those liens, and negotiate a satisfactory settlement with the opposing party

If you want the help of an experienced attorney, contact Sandel Law Firm today. Kevin Sandel can ensure the best outcome for you. Click here to request your free consultation now.