Single Blog

Quick Guide to securing key claims after a car crash

Even small car wrecks can be traumatic, disorienting, and painful. You would think an insurance company would go out of its way to make sure you are fully covered and try to make you feel at ease. Unfortunately, insurance companies are typically the opposite: greedy, cheap, and not like a good neighbor. They do this because they are huge businesses trying to earn greater profits every year. You are legally required to have insurance, and they know it. 

Because of this, people hire attorney’s to ensure they are getting everything that is owed to them from their policies. You might think hiring an attorney is only for those who have the means or that investigating your claims will cost money, but at the Jones Law Firm, all consultations are free. If you are questioning your claim, asking an attorney is certainly the best route to go. You probably haven’t read the ins and outs of your policy, but the Jones Law Firm has. Call us for a free consultation.

If you decide to try and handle the claim yourself, here’s a quick guide to some overlooked items that could affect your claim’s worth.

1. Diminished Value – If you’ve ever bought a used car, you know one that has been in a wreck is going to be significantly cheaper. Your car’s value has dropped because of the damage received in the wreck, and your insurance should be paying for that difference. After all, that’s why you bought insurance, to maintain the value of your car. This is an often overlooked claim but one that can cover up to 25% of your car’s original value. Don’t pass it up.
2. Loss of Use – If your car’s in the shop, you’ve lost your vehicle. Even if you have a friend or family member’s car to borrow, you are still without your vehicle, and most insurance companies should either provide a rental or pay you for every day that your vehicle is not available. Depending on the extent of the damage or the amount of time you are without a vehicle , this could be a considerable sum.
3. Medical Payments – Even if you are feeling okay after the incident, always see a doctor and document every diagnostic and test. Just a little bit of soreness could be a sign of something else. Go to a physician, get documentation, and make full use of your medical payments insurance. This is literally why you have it and something you should not worry about after a wreck. Going to the doctor can be a hassle, but it’s simply not worth the risk of having a hidden injury.
4. Bodily Injury Claim – After a wreck, your adrenaline is going to be pumping. You might not notice anything wrong with you physically. It’s easy to excuse back or neck pain as unrelated, but these problems could lead to major issues later on. A bodily injury claim insures that you are going to be covered for any treatment or therapy you will need down the road, whether that’s a chiropractor or physical therapy. If you don’t make this claim early, you could have a hard time getting the insurance to cover this treatment. List any pains or aches immediately.
5. Original Repairs – If you go to the wrong mechanic or the one your insurance recommends, they could be using after-market parts. Auto parts made in China are not only cheaper in price, but usually much cheaper in quality as well. You insurance entitles you to the best equipment to keep your vehicle’s value maintained. Don’t settle for less on your repair. Get it properly done and make sure your car is exactly how it was.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but even on it, you can tell there are lot tricky details that insurance companies are hoping you will forget about on your claim. Their claims adjuster’s job is to make your claim as cheap as possible, and they will not remind you of your policy’s values. 

You need an attorney to help you.. If you are wondering if your claim is worth more than the insurance company is quoting you for, call me: 601-INJURED

If you would like to hear more on this subject, check out our Youtube page where I break each of these topics down: