A car crash can turn your life upside down in an instant. Besides the immediate shock and confusion, it might leave you with injuries that prevent you from working while your car sits in the shop for weeks or even months.
Bills for medical treatment and car repair can pile up quickly, emptying your bank account faster than you can imagine. Worse still, these challenges can take a toll on your emotional health and strain your family dynamics.
However, filing an auto accident insurance claim can put you back in the driver’s seat and get your life back on track. In Wisconsin, like other states, you can file a claim with the help of an auto accident lawyer to secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Let’s dive into how you can file a claim after a car crash.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Call 911
First, take a deep breath and pull yourself together. Accidents are overwhelming, but staying calm helps you think clearly. Next, check yourself and others for injuries and call 911 if necessary. However, don’t move a muscle if you’ve had serious injuries like broken bones.
When you call 911, the dispatcher will send a team of EMTs and police officers to the scene. Even if your injuries seem minor, get them checked. Sometimes, minor injuries can lead to medical conditions such as chronic pain, which may affect your life in the long run.
Cooperate with the EMTs and police officers, but do not admit you are guilty or apologize for the accident. Also, ask the officer to provide a copy of the police report, which is invaluable evidence when filing your auto accident insurance claim.
Step 2: Document Everything You Can
Once everyone is safe, start documenting the scene, which is critical for supporting your auto accident insurance claim. Here’s what you should do:
- Collect contact information from all parties involved (name, phone number, address).
- Exchange insurance information with other drivers.
- Note down vehicle descriptions, including make, model, color, and license plate numbers.
- Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Use your phone to take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries.
Step 3: Notify Your Insurance Company
Once you’ve left the scene and ensured everyone is safe, it’s time to contact your insurance company. Most insurance companies require you to report accidents promptly, even if you don’t plan on filing an auto accident insurance claim.
When reporting the accident:
- Be honest about what happened.
- Stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault.
- Provide the information you gathered at the scene.
- Ask your insurer about the next steps for filing your claim.
Step 4: Understand How Fault and Liability Work in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a fault state for car accidents and follows a “comparative negligence” rule, which means the fault is assigned to each party involved in the crash based on their level of responsibility.
Let’s say you were 20% at fault, and your damages total $10,000. In this case, you’ll receive $8,000 as compensation. You can’t be more than 50% at fault if you want to receive compensation.
However, these claims can be complex, especially in understanding who is at fault and how much. A skilled car accident lawyer can help you understand how a fault might impact your claim and work to minimize your liability.
Step 5: File Your Insurance Claim
When you’re ready to file your auto accident insurance claim, you’ll need to:
- Submit the required documents, including police reports, medical records, repair estimates, and any other evidence you’ve gathered.
- Cooperate with the adjuster your insurance company has assigned to evaluate the claim. They may request additional information or ask to inspect your vehicle.
- Keep track of all correspondence, receipts, and documents related to your claim.
File the claim before the statute of limitations expires, but do not rush in. The liability claim covers lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. But since some injuries may become more problematic with time, you will need to time your filing right, or you might have to pay for treating those injuries out of pocket.
In Wisconsin, you can settle your property damage claim without resolving your personal injury payout from the same accident. However, it’s best to speak with a competent Wisconsin auto accident lawyer. They can explain your situation honestly and ensure you’re not shortchanged by the insurance company.
Step 6: Be Prepared for Potential Challenges
While some claims are straightforward, others can be more complex. So, brace yourself for some challenges, including:
- Disputes Over Fault: Insurance companies typically try to minimize their liability as much as possible. They may try to assign more blame to you to reduce their payout.
- Low Settlement Offers: Insurers often aim to settle claims for less than their full value. So, don’t accept the first offer you receive – certainly not without consulting your auto accident lawyer.
- Delays in Processing: Sometimes, insurers delay claims to pressure you into accepting a lowball offer.
Hiring a reputed auto accident lawyer can help you face these challenges head on. Seasoned lawyers know every trick insurance companies use to deny your claim or settle it for a low offer. They can negotiate on your behalf or even represent you in court should your case go to trial.
Final Thoughts
It’s not easy to handle the financial and emotional stress that comes after a car crash. However, getting the compensation can help you get your life back on track sooner. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, hire a reliable auto accident lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you file the claim properly, negotiate on your behalf, and get the compensation you deserve.
