In the aftermath of a serious collision, your primary concern should be getting medical attention for yourself and others involved. Even if you weren’t severely injured, the shock can last for days, making it difficult to focus on legal and administrative tasks like filing an accident report and an insurance claim. But your statements and actions after a crash will have a profound impact on the success of your claim if you choose to file one, which is why all drivers in Texas should know how to file a car insurance claim properly.
In this blog, we’ll explain the steps you should take immediately after a collision, how to file a car insurance claim, and what to do if your claim is denied.
What Am I Required To Do Immediately After A Car Accident In Texas?
Your first priority after any accident is to seek medical attention for yourself and for anyone else who was injured. Even if nobody was severely injured, you should still contact law enforcement to get an accident report.
Write down the contact and insurance information of all drivers involved. You should also record the contact information of eyewitnesses. Be sure to take photos of injuries, property damage, skid marks, and traffic signs.
The evidence you gather at the scene can help you prove negligence, liability, and the value of your damages.
If a police officer does not attend the scene and the collision involved a death, injury, or property damage of $1,000 or greater, you will have to file a Crash Report (Form CR-2) yourself. You can find this form on the Texas Department of Transportation website.
How To File A Car Insurance Claim In Texas
Each insurance company has its own deadlines for reporting a collision. As a general rule, you should report an accident to your insurance carrier as soon as possible.
No matter which state you live in, most insurance companies offer several different ways to report a car accident and file a claim. These include:
- By Phone: You can call your insurance company and file your claim over the phone with a representative.
- Online: You can go to your provider’s website and submit a claim online.
- Using an App: Most major insurance companies have an app that you can download on your phone and use to file a claim.
What Should I Do If My Claim Is Denied?
If your claim was denied or if you think the payout was too low, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. The first step is to read through the reason for the decision carefully, which your insurer should have provided to you in writing.
There are several reasons why a car insurance claim may be denied. For instance, if you were drunk when the collision occurred, failed to pay your premiums, or violated another term of your policy, your insurer can deny your claim. However, sometimes mistakes happen, which is why insurance companies offer an appeal process.
Although this process can vary among insurers, it usually involves writing a letter to your insurance company explaining why you believe an error was made. Be sure to provide documentation to support your position.
If you are unsatisfied with your insurance company’s response, you should consider discussing your case with an insurance attorney to find out if you may have been a victim of insurance bad faith.
Were there any important points that we missed? Feel free to share your insights in the Comments section below. If you’re looking for car insurance in Texas, check out our car insurance quote comparison study here.