5 Steps to Properly Filing an Insurance Claim Following a Car Accident

Accidents happen every day, but that doesn’t mean that they’re an everyday occurrence for the driver or passenger involved. If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may not know the exact steps that you need to take to file an insurance claim. Hipskind and McAninnch want to make certain that you know the proper steps to filing a car accident claim in Missouri.

5 Steps for Filing a Claim in the State of Missouri

1. Call the Police to File a Report – If you’re in an accident with injuries, the police will automatically be dispatched to the scene. If there are any injuries or the property damage exceeds $500, which is the case with most accidents, the police are required to make a report. If you suspect you may have been injured, ask the officers on scene to make a report and give you the case number.
2. Document the Scene with Videos and Pictures – The police will document the accident on paper and provide a description in the report with diagrams. But law enforcement officers often miss things and make other mistakes. By taking a video and pictures when it’s safe to do so, you preserve evidence that can be lost in the cleanup after the accident.
3. Call Your Insurance Company – Missouri is a fault state, which means that the at-fault party’s insurer will be responsible for the damages. Whether you file a claim with your own insurer and they pursue the at-fault party’s insurer for damages or you file directly with the at-fault insurer it’s important that you recognize that insurance companies will attempt to minimize their payouts.
4. Seek Medical Attention – Your health is of paramount importance. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. It will not hurt your insurance claim or legal case. Keep all receipts and documentation from your doctor or the hospital in a safe place.
5. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer – If you’ve been injured in an accident, you should speak to a personal injury lawyer who specializes in car accident claims. Personal injury lawyers in Missouri and elsewhere offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, which means that you never pay out of pocket. Your attorney only gets paid if there’s a settlement or a jury award.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Claim

Because most individuals are inexperienced in filing accident claims, they are often prone to mistakes that could hurt their cases. Here are a few additional tips:

1. Do not admit fault to your insurer – Even if you know you think you were speeding or had some contributing fault to the accident, don’t admit fault until you’ve spoken with your attorney.
2. Do not accept a settlement before talking to an attorney – Insurance companies would prefer that you settle without the assistance of a Missouri car accident lawyer. Usually, the settlement offers are low and require you to sign a waiver of liability, which prevents you from pursuing further damages.

Don’t Delay Medical Treatment – If paramedics are on scene, allow them to examine you. If you feel that your injuries warrant it, accept a ride to the emergency room. Do not avoid treatment because you’re concerned about finances or making a recovery.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.