5 Frequently Asked Questions After a Car Accident

After being involved in a car accident, you may have questions related to your car insurance policy, what to do about the damages your car suffered, or who will cover your expenses. We have outlined five frequently asked questions accident victims have after being involved in a car crash, so you can have some peace of mind knowing what the next steps in your claim are and how to move forward after an accident.

What if My Car Was Totaled in the Accident?

A car is considered a total loss if the cost to repair it exceeds the car’s value. Some states have laws in place that define a total car by specific thresholds. A car insurance company may also determine whether a car is totaled. If your car was totaled in a car accident, contact your car insurance agent to start an insurance claim. If your car was totaled in an accident caused by a negligent driver, you may recover damages from the at-fault driver to cover for your property damages, injuries, and other losses suffered in the accident.

Who Will Cover For a Rental Car?

Depending on your insurance coverage, your insurance company may cover the cost of a rental. According to Value Penguin, if your car accident was caused by another driver, you can try to file a claim with their insurance carrier to have them pay for your car rental.

Who Will Cover My Medical Bills?

If you suffered injuries that required medical attention or hospitalization, you may have incurred expensive medical bills. The at-fault driver will be responsible for paying for your medical expenses. You can recover compensation to pay for current and future medical treatment, lost wages due to time away from work, property damages you suffered, emotional pain and suffering, and other losses. Speak with a personal injury attorney to discuss your case and determine the best course of action to hold a negligent driver accountable for their actions.

What Documents Should I Keep After a Car Accident?

Evidence is important to support your car accident claim. After being involved in a car accident, try to take pictures or video of the crime scene, if you can do so safely. Contact the police as soon as possible, a police officer will create an accident report which will be useful to prove your claim and determine fault. If you received medical treatment, keep documentation from the hospital such as medical bills and drug store receipts. Gather contact information of all the parties involved in the accident, including accident witnesses and passengers.

Should I Hire an Attorney?

After a car accident, you may be dealing with injuries, car repairs, emotional trauma, and stress. By hiring a car accident attorney to represent your claim, you leave all the complicated work to them. An attorney will handle all negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier, will help with evidence recovery, and will be able to determine how much compensation you are entitled to receive to cover economic and non-economic damages. Hiring an attorney can help you recover the compensation that you deserve, especially after suffering serious injuries. Most personal injury attorneys offer a free initial case review and work on a contingency fee basis, this means that you don’t have to pay any upfront fees and the legal team will be paid only if they recover compensation for you.

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be stressful and complicated. If you or a loved one recently suffered severe injuries in a car accident, seek legal help to discuss your accident, hiring a law firm to handle the claim could be the best option for everyone involved.