Car insurance provides you with protection from severe financial consequences when accidents occur. Filing a claim is how you initiate the process and resolve the matter. However, when the at-fault driver is responsible for the accident, you’ll need to file a claim with that person’s insurance provider.
Filing a claim is ultimately how you’ll recover compensation for repairs, damages, and medical expenses. Here are key details are car accident attorneys in San Diego want you to know what you need to know about the process and what you can expect to happen:
Third-Party Insurance Claim
This is when you file a claim through another driver’s insurance provider. Also known as a liability claim, it allows you to recover compensation for damages caused by the accident. Even though you’re not the policyholder, the at-fault driver is still responsible for covering the damage.
Gather Information Ahead of Time
When an accident occurs, you need to gather all the necessary information to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. This includes:
- Name, address, insurance policy numbers, and phone numbers of all parties involved,
- Photos and videos of the scene, including the positions of the vehicles, skid marks, and other defining aspects of the area,
- Details about the crash, such as time, date, location, weather conditions, and more.
Police may have responded to the collision scene and spoke with the parties involved. If that is the case, they’ll produce an accident report and provide you with a copy of it. You should also seek medical attention immediately – try to visit a doctor within 24 hours of the accident and have them evaluate you.
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Notify the Insurance Company
You’ll need to notify all the relevant people and companies for your claim to initiate the process. This includes your own insurance provider, who may receive a counterclaim from the at-fault driver. You should also hire a car accident lawyer who can communicate directly with the insurance company while overseeing your claim.
File the Claim Immediately
You never want to wait when filing a claim against someone else’s insurance provider. Sometimes, the at-fault driver will try to convince you to hold off on filing a claim, and they’ll offer to pay for everything out-of-pocket. This arrangement is ill-advised, especially when your damages and injury expenses are very costly.
If you suffered injuries or other tangible damages from an accident, you need to take action quickly. Waiting too long to file a claim can jeopardize the full amount of compensation you recover.
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Filing a Claim Often Requires Assistance from a Car Accident Attorney
Claiming against someone else’s insurance provider is much simpler when you hire an attorney. Having an expert handle your case ultimately makes it easier to recover compensation for injuries and other damages. Otherwise, the insurance company will try to devalue your claim and persuade you to settle for less money than you deserve.
Here at HHJ Trial Attorneys in San Diego, our legal team has all the knowledge and experience to handle your claim. Our job is to ensure that Californians can recover ample compensation and resolve the issue entirely. If you have any questions, get in touch with us, and we’ll explain how our services can benefit you.
Testimonial from Michaela, Car Accident Victim in San Diego
This whole firm is full of extremely educated, professional, reliable, and caring people. In December of 2020 I was rear ended by someone going about 40-45 mph resulting in injuries to my neck, lower back, and left knee. Upon researching injury lawyers, I found HHJ to be a great option and I’m glad I went with them. From the beginning, Adam and all of his colleagues were extremely helpful, transparent, and a huge relief during an otherwise stressful time in my life. Adam assured me that I was in good hands and they would do everything they could for me; they were extremely persistent in making sure my case was resolved fairly for the injuries I endured. Not only is HHJ all the wonderful things listed above, but they also settled my case within a year resolving the remaining stress around this whole situation. I would recommend them over and over again.
