How Do I File A Personal Injury Claim In Texas?
After a car accident, if you’ve suffered injuries then you need to get started filing an insurance claim so you medical expenses are covered and you don’t find yourself in a world of debt. Even if you just have liability coverage you still have a minimal amount of PIP coverage (personal injury protection) that pays for your medical expenses. We wanted to give you some of the procedural steps you need to take when you are filing an insurance claim and warn you of some of the troubleshooting you might encounter. Insurance companies of a reputation for trying to minimize the damages they pay out even if you are being utterly honest about your claims. So this is what you need to know and what you should do if you encounter problems while filing a personal injury claim in Texas.
Step 1: Get The Facts Surrounding Your Accident
This almost goes without saying, after a car accident you need to get all the information surrounding the incident that you can. If your injured, try to remember to get the names of policy officers and a copy of the accident report. You need to be able to prove who is the faulty party and back up your observations with evidence in case adjusters try to minimize their responsibility. You will need to gather the time, date, and location of the accident, take names, take pictures, and get insurance information.
As you move through the process of making an insurance claim, it will be vital that you record and take note of everything so that insurance companies cannot dispute the facts.
Step 2: Get Medical Attention and Talk To Your Physician About Your Insurance Policy
The next step, which you’ve probably already done is to get medical attention for your injuries or get screened for any possible injuries. Your physician is in charge of billing but you should also keep records for how much he or she is charging so that you can make your personal injury insurance with confidence.
Another things that might help with any hiccups is getting a copy of your policy over to the billing services where you seek medical attention. Oftentimes a claim might not go through because of a faulty billing code that doesn’t match what your policy’s coverage. If you get billing service your policy and they can make sure that all the codes match and conform to your policy.
Also, this is where your record keeping will need to be the most regimented. Keep a file that includes ever receipt for anything related to medical expenses (transportation, prescriptions, co-pays, and supplies), every email, and pictures of your injuries. Keep a journal where you document your daily progress, pain, and expenses. It’s also helpful to have picture in the file of you before your accident to show the insurance company. The more organized you can be and the more facts you gather, the harder it will be to dispute a case.
Note: What If I Can’t Pay My Medical Bills?
If your health insurance doesn’t cover all your medical bills or if you do not have health insurance and are unable to pay your expenses. Talk to you doctor and ask to put a “hold agreement” on your account. The doctor will notify collection agencies not to contact you and the agreement will be on hold until you receive the money from the insurance company of the person at fault. If you end up needing to file a personal injury lawsuit, then the agreement stays until there is a settlement.
Step 3: Make Your Claim With The At Fault Party’s Insurance Company
Next you make your claim. Using the information gathered from the accident, you can find the number to call for personal injury claims from the at fault party’s insurance company (whether that be you or someone else). The process will generally move quickly through the normal procedures and if you’ve got your facts, then there shouldn’t be any disputes and you’ll receive your compensation quickly. So voila! Your done right? But what if there is a dispute?
What If My Claim Didn’t Go Through Or I Didn’t Receive Adequate Compensation?
If you’ve followed all of these steps and found that your insurance claim has been denied or the adjuster disputes the amount that you feel you need, it’s time to call us and get the compensation you need to get back to your normal life. Oftentimes it’s necessary to have a personal injury attorney because we know the ins and outs of insurance company politics. We can help maximize the effectiveness of your claim and help you move forward when it seems the process is in a standstill.
After you’ve followed these steps to file a personal injury claim and you still find yourself in a bind, call the Loewy Law Firm for a free consultation. we’re here to help.