What Information Do I Need to Have to File a Car Accident Claim?

Getting into a car accident is scary, and the aftermath can be confusing. After you deal with the initial situation, you will need to make an insurance claim. However, this can be complicated and how you handle your conversations with the insurance companies can affect your settlement. At Brown, Moore & Associates, PLLC, our Charlotte car accident attorneys are ready to help you get through this. Let us get to work so we can secure the compensation you deserve.

What happens after a car accident?

While we always hope you never have to file an insurance claim after a car accident, we know that car accidents are a common occurrence. There were more than 275,000 vehicle accidents in the state according to the latest year of data from the NC Department of Transportation. Out of those, over 127,000 people were injured.

Car accident insurance claims are a necessary part of the process, but you should be prepared. You may want to consider securing assistance from a North Carolina car accident attorney to help.

The driver who crashes into you is responsible for reporting the incident to their insurance carrier, but you need to report the incident as well. You will want to make a claim with your insurance carrier who will, in turn, seek compensation through the at-fault driver’s carrier.

At the scene of the crash, you should gather the following information (either by communicating with the other driver or having law enforcement gather the information):

• The other driver’s name and address.
• The other driver’s insurance company name and policy information.
• Statements and contact information of eyewitnesses to the crash.
• Photos from the scene, including damages and injuries, causes of the incident, traffic and weather patterns, and more. A smartphone can be used to gather these.
• The accident report (may not be available yet, so ask the officer how to obtain a copy).

When you speak with your insurance carrier or if the at-fault driver’s carrier calls you for a statement, you should be careful about what you say. These calls will be recorded, and your statements can be used against you.

Many insurance companies have mobile apps that contain checklists of what to do after a crash (while at the scene and in the days after).

We are ready to help you through this

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car crash that was caused by the negligent or careless actions of another person, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Brown, Moore & Associates, PLLC, we want to make sure that you get the compensation you need for all crash-related expenses. This can include:

• Compensation for your medical bills related to the crash
• Lost wages and benefits if you cannot work
• General household expenses
• Possible physical therapy expenses
• Pain and suffering damages
• Possible punitive damages against a negligent party

When you need a Charlotte car accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 704-335-1500.