If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, your car could be a mangled mess. Even if the accident was a minor one, you could still have a vehicle that doesn’t run properly or isn’t safe to drive. The good news is that with the help of personal injury lawyers, you can pursue the compensation that you need to pay bills such as those to repair your car.
The First Step Is to File an Insurance Claim
After an accident, you should let your insurance company know about the accident and how it happened. If the accident wasn’t your fault, your insurance company will either choose to pay the claim now or defend itself in court. In the event that the insurance company does pay the claim now, it may choose to go after the other driver’s insurance provider for reimbursement. In New York state, all drivers are required to have auto insurance, so the other driver should be covered.
What If a Claim Is Denied?
If your insurance claim is denied, you will have the opportunity to file an appeal. This may be done on your own or with the help of a personal injury lawyer. Don’t be surprised if a claim is denied or only partially approved in an effort by the insurance company to pay out as little as possible. Typically, you have 30 to 90 days to appeal a claim denial or take other action.
What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
While all drivers should have auto insurance, it doesn’t mean that every driver will follow the law. If you are hit by someone who has no coverage or not enough coverage, it may be possible to go after the driver personally to pay your accident bills. Those who have comprehensive or uninsured driver coverage on their policy may be able to use those portions of their policy to get paid.
Where Should I Take My Car to Get Fixed?
You can take your car anywhere you want to get it fixed. The insurance company cannot refuse a claim or take action against you simply because it doesn’t like where you choose to get your car repaired. Insurance companies may ask that you take your vehicle to certain locations because they may get a better deal or other benefits compared to other maintenance shops in the city. However, you should go where you know that the work will be done right and in a timely manner.
Am I Responsible for My Deductibles?
You may be asked to pay your deductible when repairs are first made to your vehicle. However, it is likely that you will get that money back in the event that you win a personal injury case. If your car is deemed to be a total loss, you will get a check for the current value of the car either from your insurance company or from the driver who hit you.
Why Would My Car Be Deemed a Total Loss?
The insurance company will deem your car to be a total loss if the cost to replace it is more than what the car is worth. In some cases, it will be deemed a total loss if the cost to repair is roughly equal to the cost of replacing it. You may be given the chance to appeal such a ruling if you think that your car is worth saving.
If your car is damaged in an accident, you have the right to get it fixed without having to pay anything more than your deductible. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, get as much evidence as possible to support your claim that it wasn’t your fault. This may help get your car fixed as well as make it easier to win your personal injury case.
Comments are closed here.