Medical Or Injury Claims
There are a variety of claims you can make after a car accident. A claim will be based on what happens in a specific accident. For example, a claim will have multiple categories of claims if your car was damaged, or if you, your passengers, or anyone else is injured or hurt, and if you lose wages because you are unable to work as you recover from an accident.
What to do if you are injured in a car accident?
What you do right after an accident can influence your recovery, the ability to get your car repaired, and have the financial compensation you deserve from your insurance.
Call 911 & Get a Police Report
If you are injured in a car accident and are at the scene the first thing to do is call 911. If you feel you were injured but it is after you have left the scene of the accident you may want to seek help at an urgent care facility or ER depending on how severe your symptoms or pain are.
Seek Medical Treatment
If you are not seriously injured and at the scene of the accident you will want to still call 911 or the local police department to come and make an accident report or help with the exchange of information.
Take Pictures of the Damage
Make sure you have taken pictures of the damage on ALL cars, pictures of the license plate of ALL cars, pictures of licenses, insurance information, and do a test text or call to the person who you are exchanging information with. People may try to give you false information. Getting pictures of everything is the best way possible to have proof of what happened.
If the Police Can't Come - Document Everything
If you are unable to get the police to come you will want to document as much as possible. We encourage you to take pictures of the accident scene before any cars are moved, and make a quick video. This all will help you have accurate information around your accident.
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Don't Admit Fault
Do not admit fault. This can be for the police and insurance companies to decide. Be honest and state what happened. If you are on your cell phone and rear-ended someone, tell the truth. If you know you are at fault then you can talk with your insurance company to let them know you are at fault.
How to make sure your claim goes the best way?
If you are in an accident and it is more severe (Higher than 15 mph, slight damage to care, and some pain) we reccommend finding an attorney that meets your needs who will help you and be with you every step of the way.
1. See a Medical Professional Directly After the Accident
Typically, car insurance will call you within 48 hours after an accident to get the details, they will record your call, so it is very important you are honest, give them the full details, and give them as much information as possible about your injuries, pain or discomfort levels and what haooened. If you already have an attorney we encourage you to refer them to your attorney so they can speak on your behalf.
2. Document Your Experience, Pain, and More
At times insurance companies may claim that you cannot be injured, or that your injury is not severe enough to get treatment. This can be common in low-speed accidents, or accidents with minimal or no obvious damage to your car.
3. Consider an Attorney & If You Choose to Work With One Stay in Communication with Your Attorney
In Utah, if you need extensive treatment like surgery, treatment for a concussion, or other serious injuries your PIP coverage can go pretty quickly. When your medical bills cost more than $3000 then your PIP will run out.
If you continue to be pestered by your insurance company, and they do not believe you are injured it is important to have a minimum of 2 medical providers access your injury levels and needs. It is important that you work with the right team of doctors, one doctor should be a medical provider that helps you manage all of your care, ensuring that you are taking steps to make the best recovery possible.
This will provide two opinions and correct documentation of your injuries. Full and correct documentation of your injury and the medical treatment you receive can significantly influence your case.
You want to make sure you get the care you need and get back to where you were previous to the accident.
4. Stay Committed to Your Treatment Plan
Common medical treatment includes visiting with a chiropractor that specializes in auto accident recovery, working with your primary care provider, seeing a physical therapist, or working with a rehabilitation specialist or sports medicine doctor for concussions.
You may also work with a pain management specialist, an ophthalmologist, a surgeon, or other specialist depending on your injuries.
As you work with a medical team that specializes in auto accident recovery, be sure that you get a clear plan for the steps in your recovery. Once you have a plan, stay committed to your treatment plan so that you can achieve the best recovery.
It is Your Right to Get Treatment
Seeking medical treatment after a car accident is your right. If you pay for car insurance by law, they are required to cover medical claims to a certain extent. You pay for this coverage and for this in your policy already, so why wouldn’t you get treatment.
Also, seeking medical treatment will NOT influence your rates or increase your rates. There are other factors that can increase costs, but getting medical treatment is not one of them.
What does PIP cover?
Personal Injury Protection covers NECESSARY medical treatments and getting access to medical treatment. For example, PIP will typically cover an ambulance ride, the emergency room visit, chiropractic care, X-rays, MRI’s, visits with an MD, massage therapy, rehabilitation therapy, physical therapy, and more.
How much does PIP cover?
In Utah, PIP is typically around $3000 per person. This means that most of the time it will cover the first few visits to the doctor, including the emergency room, some imaging if needed and the start of chiropractic care. Many times, and particularly in Utah if you exceed this amount you might feel hesitant to take action and file a claim. It is important that if you need the treatment, you get the treatment and you find an attorney to help you through the claims process so that you can get back to feeling better. It is your right to make a claim, even if an insurance company tries to scare you or tell you that your injury is not serious enough to make a claim.
What happens if my PIP runs out?
In Utah, if you need extensive treatment like surgery, treatment for a concussion, or other serious injuries your PIP coverage can go pretty quickly. When your medical bills cost more than $3000 then your PIP has been exhausted, which means most likely you will need to file a claim and take your case to court to get the finances you need to cover the cost of your medical treatment.
It is important that this does not scare you or stop you from getting the treatment you need and deserve. It is important that you take steps in your recovery, listen to your doctors, and your medical team and do what you need to get better. Accidents can cause long term pain and other medical problems, and it is your right to be treated, and have what you need to recover.
Filing a Claim
Whats does it mean to file a claim?
Filing a claim means you are suing the insurance company because your policy or the person who hit you doesn’t have the amount of coverage you need to pay for your medical treatment, car repairs, etc.
How does the claims process work?
We encourage you to work closely with an attorney to help you file a claim. This process may be different based on the attorney but most of the time it looks something like this:
- Meet with the Attorney to Review Your Accident (Complete Paperwork, Copy the Police report, Get Details about the accident, and more)
- Get Treatment and Continue to Follow the Advice of Your Medical Team
- Complete Treatment
- Tell Your Attorney You Have Completed Care & Help Them Get the Correct Paperwork and Information to Start the Claims Process
- File a Claim
- Begin the Claims Process (Mediation, Settling Out of Court, Going to Court, etc.)
Finding the right attorney is important. They can work closely with you to help you understand how your case will go, and what level of action needs to be taken for you to be compensated appropriately for your injury or accident.
What if my claim isn’t fully covered?
This is why it is important to have under or uninsured motorist coverage in your policy. This means that if the person who is at fault does not have enough coverage your policy has additional coverage that you can file a claim to get the additional and necessary payment you need to cover your expenses.
Do I need an attorney to file a claim?
Do I Really Need An Attorney? — That is Your Choice
When in doubt, get an attorney. In our experience, waiting to get an attorney can make it harder to have the resources you need to have the right paperwork in place to make a claim. Attorneys are not allowed to direct care, and they are there to help you understand your rights, and how to navigate covering costs of treatment throughout the claims process.
LET’S GET
REAL
Looking for More Support Through the Process?
We know that sorting out what to do after an accident can be stressful. That is why we are here. To help you make the best choices because you have the knowledge and support you need to make the best choice for you and your family.
Let us know if you are looking for a specific resource and we will help you find the information you need. If we can't help you we will connect you with an Insurance Myth Approved provider for FREE.
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