Filing an insurance claim is infamously difficult. If a single thing is out of place, the insurance company might reduce or deny your claim. A lawyer can help evaluate your case and obtain the correct insurance forms to file your claim.
Insurance claims can be very formal, and the right forms are crucial. An attorney can help you communicate with your insurance company and determine where to get the right forms. They might be available online, or perhaps the insurance company can mail them to you. The correct forms might depend on the nature of your claim and your specific policy. You might need forms for a personal injury protection (PIP) policy, comprehensive coverage, or an uninsured motorist policy. Once you have the correct forms, they must be filled out with the right details. A lawyer can help you make sure nothing is left out and that all your information is accurate. Your lawyer can also help you submit your forms before your deadline, whenever that might be.
Get a confidential assessment of your case for no charge by calling our NY car accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083.
How to Obtain Insurance Forms After Being Injured in a NY Car Accident
You need the correct insurance forms to begin a claim after a car accident. New York is a no-fault state, and you may be covered by your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy. As such, you will likely file a claim through your own insurance company rather than another driver’s insurance company.
Our Queens car accident lawyers can talk to your insurance company to get the correct forms. Insurance forms may be available online. Often, claimants may fill out forms online and submit them electronically. Alternatively, we can print out the forms and mail them in. If necessary, we might also contact the insurance company and have the correct forms mailed to you.
Even if you have an idea of where to get insurance forms, you and your attorney should still contact the insurance company first. You can verify the details of your accident and claim with the insurance company, who can then direct you to the correct forms. This way, you can avoid the headache of submitting the wrong forms.
If you need to file a claim with another driver’s insurance company, you need their personal information to get the correct insurance forms. If the other driver refused to provide their information or fled the scene before the police could arrive, talk to your lawyer immediately.
Which Insurance Forms Do I Need for a NY Car Accident with Injuries?
Depending on the injuries, damages, or losses you need covered, you might need different insurance forms. For example, forms for bodily injuries and vehicle damage might differ. Different policies might also cover different damages.
Forms for vehicle damage only are likely a part of your auto collision or comprehensive insurance coverage. Meanwhile, forms for accidents involving bodily injuries might fall under your PIP insurance or something like MedPay. It is a good idea to talk to an attorney about the extent of your damage before filing a claim. Your lawyer can help you make sure all your injuries and damages are accounted for and that you have the correct insurance forms to get coverage.
Filling Out Insurance Forms for Car Accidents Involving Bodily Injuries in NY
After your lawyer has helped you get the right insurance forms, they can also help you gather the necessary information to complete them. If any information is lacking or too vague, you risk having your claim denied. Remember, insurance companies care about their bottom line first and customers second. If you leave out important information, even by accident, you risk losing compensation.
First, we should take stock of any information that the insurance company requires as a matter of policy. For example, many insurance companies will not even begin processing a car accident claim without a copy of the police report. If a police report, medical records, or other official documentation is required, we should gather it as quickly as possible.
We should also gather records of vehicle damage. If you had your car taken in for repairs, we need information from the mechanic. Copies of receipts are also important to help us establish how much you spent out of your own pocket.
Finally, go over everything you remember about the accident with your lawyer. You need to explain everything in a concise and complete narrative. If your story is confusing or there are gaps in areas where your memory is weak, the insurance company might push back on your claims.
When to Submit Insurance Forms After a Car Accident with Injuries in NY
Since New York is a no-fault state under I.S.C. Law § 5104(a), you have to file a claim with your own PIP insurance, and lawsuits are prohibited unless “serious injuries” exist. Serious injuries are defined under I.S.C. Law § 5102(d) and include death, serious disfigurement, the loss or limitations of bodily parts or functions, the loss of a fetus, or other non-permanent injuries that hinder your ability to do normal daily tasks and chores for at least 90 days out of the 180 days after an accident.
A personal injury lawsuit must be filed within 3 years of the accident, according to C.V.P. Law § 214(5). This is a short window of time. Many plaintiffs need to recover from their injuries and contend with insurance before they even begin preparing a lawsuit. The sooner you talk to an attorney, the better.
The deadline to submit an insurance claim is not determined by state statutes. Instead, insurance companies may set their own time limits and deadlines. Generally, the time you have to submit an insurance claim is explained in the insurance policy.
Some policies contain very specific language about deadlines. For example, your policy might state that insurance claims must be filed no later than 30 days after an accident. Alternatively, the language might be a bit less specific. Your policy might state that claims should be submitted “promptly” or “as soon as reasonably possible.”
For an Initial Assessment of Your Case, Call Our NY Car Accident Lawyers Today
Get a confidential assessment of your case for no charge by calling our Queens personal injury lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083.