You’ve probably been involved in a minor car accident. Has anyone ever tapped your bumper in a parking lot? If so, this is considered a minor car accident. These types of vehicle collisions typically don’t result in noticeable injuries and property damage is minimal.
Everyone can go on with their daily business without involving the authorities. However, this can be a mistake since your damages may be more extensive than you originally believed. Navigating a minor car accident claim doesn’t have to be complicated if you follow a few basic steps.
Steps to Take After a Minor Car Accident Claim:
Most states have laws specifying when motorists are required to report an accident. The requirements vary by state, for example, Georgia requires drivers to report all vehicle collisions resulting in injuries, fatalities, or property damage exceeding $500.
Since replacing a dented bumper can easily run $500 or more, most accidents will need to be immediately reported. If your vehicle accident doesn’t meet these requirements, you have ten days to file a report.
Why should you take the time to report any accident immediately to the authorities? The simple answer is to protect your legal right to pursue damages. Your official report serves as proof that the accident occurred.
So, along with filing a police accident report, what are the other steps you should take to help protect a potential insurance claim?
Assess Your Injuries and Seek Medical Attention:
A minor vehicle accident may not seem like it causes any significant injuries. You may have some bruising from your seatbelt or the vehicle’s airbag deploying. Whiplash is another common injury sustained in minor car accidents. However, these minor injuries can turn into more serious health complications.
Check yourself for injuries, and those of any passengers in your vehicle, so this way, you know what to tell the emergency operator when you report the accident. The operator will know if they need to send an ambulance or only the police.
Even if you don’t believe you suffered anything other than minor bruising, it’s still a good idea to make an appointment with your healthcare provider. A thorough medical exam can show if your injuries are more extensive and if you need additional care. Having this important information will affect the value of your insurance claim.
Document the Accident Scene:
Don’t go overboard and try to imitate an experienced crime scene investigator. After all, this isn’t your job to do—all you’re doing is making it a little easier to prove your personal injury claim. You don’t even need to own a professional camera, your cell phone will work just fine.
Using the camera app, take pictures of the accident scene, focusing on your vehicle’s position, as this can help determine fault if it becomes a question. Take photos of any damage to your vehicle, even if it’s only a slight dent or scratch on your bumper. Don’t forget to take pictures of any visible injuries.
You may also want to jot down the position of any surveillance cameras. These include traffic, business, and residential cameras. The video footage can be subpoenaed by your attorney and can help support your accident claim.
Go ahead and get contact information from any witnesses. Your attorney may need their testimony to help support your claim. However, don’t forget about your 5th Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination. This means, don’t discuss the details of the accident with any witnesses.
You don’t want the defendant’s insurance company to use your statements to devalue your personal injury claim, and this advice also extends to the authorities.
The responding police will ask questions about the accident. Be truthful in your answers but don’t go into detail.
Gather Your Bills and Other Paperwork:
You can let the insurance company know you’re getting ready to file an accident claim, but it’s not going anywhere until you can list and support your damages. Since you can’t list random damages or guess the total of your expenses, you’re going to need to provide supporting documentation.
Your medical records, bills, receipts, and prescriptions can help support this part of your claim. If you’re claiming property damage, you’re going to need to provide repair estimates and bills for any work you may have already completed.
Since most minor accidents don’t result in missed work time, you probably can’t claim lost wages. However, if your injuries turn out to be severe, for example, whiplash, your pay stubs can help substantiate this part of your insurance claim.
While proving your economic damages is relatively simple, you should have plenty of supporting documentation, non-economic losses are different. These are losses like your pain and suffering that can negatively impact your life. Since non-economic damages don’t come with a handy price tag or supporting paperwork, proving these losses can be complicated.
Your attorney can help you calculate the value of your non-economic damages if they apply to your minor car accident claim.
Get a Copy of Your Accident Report:
We mentioned earlier the importance of having an accident report, which serves as proof that the accident occurred. Without an accident report, the insurance company will probably automatically deny your claim. From the insurance company’s viewpoint, your damages can occur at any time and it may not be from the accident.
Even if you immediately contact the authorities after the accident, it doesn’t mean you leave the scene with a copy of the report. The authorities need some time to complete the report, usually around ten business days.
You should be able to pick up a copy of your report from a local police precinct. You can also request a copy online. However, whichever route you go, be prepared to pay a nominal fee. The fee for a copy of an accident report is usually around $10.
Even Minor Car Accidents Can Require Legal Representation:
A minor car accident can easily turn into a big deal as soon as you file an insurance claim. Suddenly, you’re being asked to provide a ton of supporting documentation. Then, there’s usually a negotiation process and even this may not result in an agreement.
To help simply the process, it’s usually best to work with a personal injury attorney. They have the knowledge and experience you need to help secure the compensation that you rightfully deserve.
Disclaimer:
CBD:
Qrius does not provide medical advice.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis products in India. CBD oil, manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, can be legally used in India for medicinal purposes only with a prescription, subject to specific conditions. Kindly refer to the legalities here.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Gambling:
As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, prohibit gambling. Land-based casinos are legalized in Goa and Daman under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. In Sikkim, land-based casinos, online gambling, and e-gaming (games of chance) are legalized under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009. Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries, subject to state laws. Refer to the legalities here. Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in licensed premises in select states. Refer to the 1996 Supreme Court judgment for more information.
This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or its staff.
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