If you’ve just been involved in an auto accident in Delaware County, the last thing you want to deal with is a lengthy and drawn out battle with your insurance over receiving fair compensation for your injuries. Yet unfortunately, that is the exact situation for many victims, as they spend countless hours trying to prove the extent of their devastating injuries and property damage after an accident.
There are a lot of pieces of information you will need to gather after a Delaware County Car Accident, and a police report is just one small first step. We’ve compiled some quick reference points below to help you get started on your claim.
What Medical Bills Will Insurance Cover?
There are several different outcomes for how to get coverage, depending on your unique situation. Some common scenarios in Delaware County include:
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- You were a driver: Your medical bills will come through your auto insurance. You should have PIP (personal injury protection), or no-fault medical benefits coverage as part of your auto insurance policy. You can ask your Delaware County auto accident attorney to help you fill out the forms for this if needed.
- You were a passenger when the accident occurred, and you have auto insurance: You will go through your own auto insurance, just as you would if you were a driver.
- You were a passenger when the accident occured, and you do NOT have auto insurance: You will contact the auto insurance for the car you were a passenger in and go through them for your medical coverage. Once these benefits are paid in full, you will receive notification, and begin billing through your health insurance.
- If you are a pedestrian and are struck by a vehicle: You will go through your own health insurance.
- What if you don’t have health insurance?: If you do not have your own health insurance, then you can add unpaid medical bills to your damages when making an auto claim.
Damages to Your Vehicle
Your auto insurance carrier will inspect your car and provide you with an estimate for reasonable repairs. You can request this property damage coverage if it is part of your policy when you call your insurance agent. If your car was totalled, then you will receive a check from your insurance carrier. This check will equal the amount that the car was valued at when it was totalled, not the amount you originally paid for it. If you have questions about the estimate or total that your insurance is willing to pay, you can speak with your Delaware County attorney for a second opinion.
Medical Records
Medical records will be critical pieces of information when handling your claim. The hospital or doctor’s office where you were treated will be able to provide these to you upon request. If you would like your attorney to obtain these documents on your behalf, you can sign an authorization that allows the release of your medical records to your attorney.
Reporting on treatment you may need in the future, as well as a detailed explanation of your current injuries, will all be included in these reports. This can include rehabilitation needed for chronic issues, as well as mental health issues, such as depression or PTSD, caused by the accident.
How a Delaware County Auto Accident Attorney Can Help With Your Claim
This post is just a small selection of the process you will need to go to in order to receive compensation after your car accident in Delaware County. If you are feeling overwhelmed by this process, or feel as though you are not receiving just compensation from your insurance company, you don’t need to fight alone. A skilled Delaware County auto accident attorney can help guide you through the process and let you focus on what matters most – your recovery.
If you or a member of our family was involved in an auto accident in Delaware County, Pennsylvania and are not sure what to do next, the attorneys at the Thistle Law Firm are here to take your call and answer your questions at 215-568-6824. You can also reach us by filling out our contact form here.