Five Tips For Handling Your Own Personal Injury Claim

Some times, in less complicated cases, it is better for an individual to handle their own auto accident claim. That’s why I decided to put together a few tips to help you in handling your claim.

1. Don’t settle your claim too quickly.
Some insurance companies have a practice of settling claims within 24 to 48 hours of the accident occurring. (One even brags about it as an advantage of having its service). Usually, this is not a good thing if youíre injured. Sometimes you donít feel the full effect of the impact until after youíve slept on it. If youíve already settled your claim, any subsequent treatments will be paid for out of your pocket.

2. Get your own repair estimate.
Depending on the insurance carrier, you may drive in and have an adjuster estimate the amount of damages or they may go to where youíve parked the car. But whatever the case, it is an insurance adjuster, not a mechanic, who will be estimating the damages to your vehicle. Keep in mind the adjuster has no incentive to find hidden defects caused by the accident; neither does the insurance company-approved mechanic. It may be best to take your car to a mechanic you trust before going to the adjuster. That way, you can point out those things not discovered by the insurance adjuster.

3. Before you take off from work, get a doctor’s excuse.
When youíre injured in an accident it would seem that the insurance company would understand and pay for the time youíve missed from work. They will, but only if your doctor, physical therapist or chiropractor has taken you off work. Donít just miss work for an extended period of time without having your medical provider provide you with a written excuse from work.

4. If you were written a ticket in the accident, fight it.
Getting a traffic ticket in an accident is usually bad, depending on what the ticket is for. It wonít hurt if you have no proof of insurance; just take the proof in on your court date and this will usually go away. But, if you received a ticket for failure to yield, for example, and you know you did not fail to yield and can prove it, fight the ticket. Even if the other person was at fault, you could be considered contributorily negligent and therefore, not entitled to receive full payment on your claim.

5. Keep a pain journal.
The best way to document your pain and suffering is by keeping a daily journal. It will show a more accurate picture than just the assessments given in your medical records. Assuming you are in pain, keeping a pain journal will give you a stronger basis for asking for damages related to pain and suffering.

Since you have made the decision to handle your own personal injury claim, be sure to use these tips to your advantage so that you can get the best possible result.