James William
You may be entitled to financial compensation if you’ve been harmed in an auto accident. This might come from your insurance carrier or the company covering the negligent driver.
There are, however, some rules that you need to be aware of. Particularly, if you’ve been in an accident and want to claim damages with the help of a Houston bus accident lawyer, understanding how long you have to do so after the event is vital.
Litigation Vs. Insurance Claim: Which Is Better?
There may be longer between an accident, submitting a claim with such an insurer, and launching a lawsuit.
When a car accident occurs, the insurance company is usually involved in the resolution process. Your insurance carrier and the driver who caused the accident should be contacted to file a claim. After assessing the level of damage, the insurance company will propose a compensation amount they believe is appropriate. If that happens, then the issue is over and done with.
After an auto accident, a lawsuit may be necessary if the parties involved cannot agree as to who is at fault or if the victim does not believe the amount of compensation granted by the motorist’s insurance company who caused the accident is sufficient.
If you’ve been injured and need to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, it’s in your best interest to learn as much as possible about the filing deadlines as soon as possible.
There is a time limit in which you must notify your insurance provider of an accident.
In most jurisdictions, an insurance company has the final say on when a claim is filed. While some companies have firm deadlines of 30 or 60 days, others just ask that claims be submitted “promptly” or “within a reasonable time.” Check your policy frequently to see if any deadlines absolutely must be reached.
It is difficult to define the injury caused by accident; therefore, insurers may only pay out if you file a claim quickly. However, the insurance company has to prove that your delay prejudiced your claim or caused them harm before they may deny payment.
The statute of limitations for filing a claim with your insurer varies by jurisdiction. For instance, under no-fault legislation, anyone injured in accidents must turn to their insurance companies for financial compensation, regardless of who was at fault. You must submit a written notice of your claim within 30 days of the accident date.
If you live in a state with restrictions, you must follow them. Your case could be thrown out if you don’t provide this evidence.
When filing a lawsuit after a vehicle accident, the statute of limitations is independent of any deadlines the insurance company sets. If the limitation period has gone after your lawsuit was filed, look up the statute of limitations online to see how much time you have left to file your case.
Insurance Claim Filing Procedures
The steps to filing a claim for damages following a car crash are as follows:
- Find out when the deadline is for submitting a claim for damages after an accident.
- Contact your insurance company or the company representing the negligent driver. In some states, an insurance company can assist you even if your claim is against another person.
- Your insurance company may pursue compensation against the negligent party’s carrier on your behalf.
- Provide the insurance company with evidence, such as a police report and eyewitness statements. Ideally, this information was collected at the scene of the accident.
- If you have insurance, talk to your adjuster. The insurer will send out adjusters to take a look at the wreckage. The adjuster will contact you, ask you questions regarding the accident, and either inspect your vehicle at your location or request that you bring it to a certified repair facility. The adjuster might also ask for receipts and papers from the doctor explaining what happened.
We are awaiting the insurer’s settlement offer and the adjuster’s report. After determining the extent of your damages, either your insurance company or the insurance company for the at-fault driver will make you a settlement offer.
