How to File a Car Accident Claim With AAA
Posted in Our Blog on June 18, 2019
When recovering from a collision, multiple factors come into play. Injuries, car damage, and claims processes contribute to the stress that a car owner experiences after an accident. With AAA, members have the tools to receive emergency help in difficult situations and the ability to file claims for accidents as they would with a typical insurance agency. Though a New Orleans accident lawyer is not necessary to file a AAA claim, it is essential to understand what items to document and how to file.
What to Expect After a Collision
- Police Involvement – After the
initial collision, your first assessment should be in reference to your own
health and the health of the other driver/s involved. Call the police and seek
immediate aid if the collision resulted in a severe injury. Even if no one
needs emergency services, call the police to notify them of the collision. They
will file a police report which you can obtain a copy of several days after the
incident. This is one form of evidence that can support your claim.
- Exchange Contact Information –
Exchange insurance information with the other drivers. Take clear pictures of
their insurance cards and their license plate information. You might need this
information to pursue additional insurance and/or personal injury claims.
- Take Pictures – Take pictures of the
location in which the accident took place from different vantage points. Try to
capture all vehicles involved in your pictures. Take pictures of the damages
that your vehicle sustained from the collision. Take detailed and clear pictures.
Fresh evidence is the best evidence – make the most of your initial
evidence-gathering process and take pictures that clearly illustrate the final
products of the accident.
- Write a Statement – The emotional
aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming. Even if it wasn’t a severe
accident, dealing with other drivers who are also having an emotional response
can take a toll on how you remember details in the future. Write down your
account of what happened so you can refer to it when answering questions from
your insurance company.
- Call Your Insurance Company – Notify
them of the collision and possibly give them a statement about what happened,
if they ask. Re-educate yourself about your coverage and the deductibles you
must pay. Follow their instruction and fill out any necessary paperwork
required to file your claim. AAA will also assign a claims adjustor to your
case – this individual will receive your evidence and investigate the details
of your claim.
- Seek Medical Treatment – If you have
an injury, seek medical treatment. Document your injuries through your medical
records. This is useful when seeking an additional personal injuries claim and
when providing evidence to AAA if you receive their accident-related health
insurance coverage.
Cover all Damages
The claims adjustor assigned to your
case will be sure to address all of your damages but remain cautionary.
Insurance adjustors are not well-known for going above and beyond in looking
for evidence that could cost the insurance company more money. Although AAA
does not require you to have all evidence at hand when initiating a claim,
being prepared will benefit you in the long run because you will have thorough
evidence that a claims adjustor cannot deny.
Following these steps will encourage
a flawless claims process within AAA. However, if you do feel that the
compensation your claims adjustor settles on for the accident does not equate
to severity of the collision, you can always consult a personal injury lawyer.
Personal injury lawyers will help you pursue a claim against the other driver
involved in the accident. You can seek legal action with the driver themselves
or with their insurance company – in either scenario, a skilled attorney can
provide valuable tools within the claims process.