Road Accident Claim Checklist

Getting compensation for a road accident can be a long and difficult process, especially if you don't follow all the procedures. Here are four high-priority items that you need to take care of to successfully file an accident insurance claim.

Priority 1: Recovery of Your car - Following a car accident, once you have taken care of the health and safety of those involved in the accident, you need to ensure the recovery of your vehicle. The further away you are from home the more difficult this is. It's critical to get the car home or to a local garage to assess the car’s condition.

Priority 2: Damage Assessment - Being involved in a road accident is stressful enough. And to add to that you are left with the burden of arranging for your car damages to be evaluated. However, there is a simple way to do this - contact a reliable garage for a repair quote cost evaluation.

Priority 3: Replacement Car Hire - After the road accident, it is your insurer's responsibility to provide you with a replacement vehicle. Try to get a car of the same grade as the one you drive. Some insurance companies may allow you the usage of an alternative vehicle only while the damage assessment process is happening. If your vehicle is assessed as damaged beyond repair, then they may withdraw this facility. You may have to bargain for the facility to be extended until you have received a cheque for car value.

Priority 4: Compensation for your loss - Few road traffic accidents may result in anything from mild injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to a whiplash injury and more serious injuries. If the accident was not your fault, you are entitled to make an accident injury claim for compensation.

Do not fall into the trap of ruling out an injury claim as too complicated and time consuming. If the accident was caused by another person you deserve to be compensated. Ask for a complete road accident compensation package, including immediate recovery of your car, prompt replacement, a list of approved garages in your area, a guarantee that your car (or a replacement) will return to the road soon, and monetary compensation for car repairs and medical injuries.

Diana Joseph has an in-depth knowledge in dealing with in injury claims. She has written numerous articles on injury claims and accident compensations issues, particularly those involving car accident and other topics of claims.