Tips on Contacting Your Insurance Company After an Accident
After you have been injured in a car accident, there are several steps that you will need take to ensure your rights are being protected. One of these is a call to your insurance company. There are some things that you should keep in mind after your accident so that everything is handled properly. Our attorneys at Birkhold & Maider, LLC will walk you through this process so that you are prepared for what you may face along the way.
Notifying an Agent
When somebody has been involved in a car accident, they will likely speak with their insurance agent rather than to the official office of the insurance company. To ensure that your information was taken, you should always ask the agent for a letter stating the date you called them and that they passed the information along to the claims department. The claims department should always let you know that they have received your information and that they are investigating your claim. You will be giving your insurance company numerous rights including access to your medical records, subrogation, cooperation on your end, and an inspection of your vehicle.
Releasing All of Your Medical and Work Records
The insurance company has the right to access your medical and work records after an accident. They will send you a letter first known as the Authorization for Release of Records, which you will sign so that the insurance company can start to process your claim. Sometimes, insurance companies will not send you this form and will expect you to send them your medical records and settlement demand. No matter what process they follow, it is important that you follow all the necessary information so that they can get started.
The Right of Subrogation Form
Your insurance company may also send you something known as the Right of Subrogation form. This form is used for the insurance company recovering money from whoever is responsible for the accident. For instance, if your property damage was paid for through a repair company due to the insurance, they will use the other driver’s insurance company to pay for these debts. These notices are incredibly important due to the fact that damages are one of the biggest aspects in your claim.
Reasonable Cooperation with the Insurance Company
In order to receive the compensation you deserve after an accident, you must be willing to cooperate with your insurance company – but only reasonably. An example is that the insurance company needs a statement about how the accident happened. Many people believe that they will have to write an essay on all the details of the accident but this is not the case. You do not have to repeat information you already gave to the insurance company, which means that you should be as reasonable as possible. You should also give the insurance company the names of all people involved, as well as the medical providers you have been seeing.
Contact a Nutley Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Personal Injury Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a personal injury accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Birkhold & Maider, LLC represent clients injured because of a motor vehicle accident in Nutley, Hamilton, and throughout New Jersey. Call (973) 784-8630 or email us to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 189 Franklin Avenue, Suite 1, Nutley, as well as offices in Hamilton.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.