Knowing what steps to take after a car accident in Michigan can make a huge difference in your ability to recover compensation for your injuries. Once you have undergone medical treatment, filed a police report and obtained the contact information of others involved in the accident, it is time to file a claim with your insurance company.
Before you file your claim, you should understand how the car accident claim process works. You do not want to be surprised by any aspect of the process which could end up harming your claim for damages.
For example, many insurance companies record your conversations with them. If you are unaware that you are being recorded, you may make casual statements that could later sound incriminating. Your words could come back to haunt you if the insurance company tries to use your statements to prove you were responsible for the accident.
First-party and third-party claims
The first step is determining which type of claim to file. A first-party claim is a claim you file with your own insurance company. A third-party claim is a claim you file with another driver’s insurance company.
You may want to file a first-party claim with your own insurance company if you want to claim damages to your car or the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. Remember that you can still file an uninsured or underinsured claim with your policy if your coverage allows.
A first-party claim typically allows you to recover compensation for your initial medical costs and lost wages. However, if you believe the other driver was at fault for the accident, you may want to file a third-party claim to force their insurance company to pay for your compensation.
A third-party claim is also a good idea if your medical costs are significant. If you believe another driver was at fault and your injuries are going to require long-term, costly medical treatment, a third-party claim might be best.
Information you need to file your claim
No matter which type of claim that you file, there is certain information you should have ready when you contact the insurance company. This includes the year, make and model of your vehicle and the names and contact information of yourself and others involved in the accident.
Additionally, have your insurance information ready, including your policy number. Be prepared to provide details about the accident. State when, where and how it happened.
The insurance company will begin an investigation after you file your claim. Common steps in the investigation process include conducting interviews and examining vehicles. If there were passengers in the vehicles, they would likely be interviewed, as will any witnesses to the accident.
The insurance adjuster may want to view photos or videos of your vehicle damage. Document damage to your vehicle at the accident scene and take photos of any injuries immediately after the accident and throughout your medical treatment.
What happens after the investigation
After the investigation is complete, the insurance company will offer you a settlement. There are many factors to consider before deciding to accept an insurance company’s settlement offer.
