3 steps involved in an insurance claim after a Texas car wreck
Car crashes in Texas can cost people a large amount of money, particularly when they involve high speeds and/or vehicles of vastly different sizes. As a result, someone injured in a car crash may have a stack of medical bills and concerns about paying for the basic cost-of-living expenses until they can return to work.
People in such precarious financial positions typically expect that insurance will help them manage their financial obligations. They may not know what steps to take to file an insurance claim or what to expect during that process.
How can someone not at fault for a Texas crash go about securing coverage?
Document and report the collision
The proper response immediately after the wreck is of the utmost importance for those who believe they will require insurance later. Whenever possible, it is usually advisable for people to capture video footage of the scene of the crash or to take pictures to document the placement of the vehicles and the extent of the damage. Notifying local authorities will also be an important step to take, as Texas law does mandate police reports and collisions involving property damage and injury. Drivers want to effectively communicate with police officers about what they believe caused the crash without being aggressive toward the other driver.
Determine what the crash will cost
Expenses may continue to accrue for many weeks, if not for months, after the crash. Those involved in a crash will need to have a reasonable idea about what it will cost to repair their vehicle and how the damage will diminish its future value. They need to understand the recommended course of treatment given their injuries and how long they may go without work or remain incapable of earning their usual wage. Ideally, someone can put together a rough estimate as soon as they know the extent of the damage to their vehicle and have an accurate medical diagnosis.
Notify the company about the wreck
Having someone’s policy information will make it much easier to reach out to the right insurance company and begin the claims process. The amount of coverage available for property damage losses and injury-related expenses will depend on how much coverage the motorist at fault for the crash carries. Those with sizable claims often have to negotiate to receive an appropriate amount of compensation. The insurance company generally needs to respond quickly to the initial claim to provide any special paperwork required of the claimant. Beyond that, communicating with the insurance company may prove to be a challenge, and people need to know what coverage they can use as well as what costs they will face.
Understanding the challenges involved in a crash-related insurance claim may help people who will require coverage for expenses related to injuries and damage to their vehicles to seek the compensation that they’re rightfully owed.
