How To Handle a Vehicle Property Damage Claim Following a Car Accident

February 17, 2014

Hundreds of car accidents occur in Western New York each day. While some of these crashes cause injuries, many minor car accidents simply result in vehicle property damage.

WIVB 4 News reported such a local car accident without injuries earlier today. Officials state the incident occurred early yesterday morning in East Aurora, New York, when a vehicle caught fire and was soon engulfed in flames. While no one was injured, the car was destroyed.

Collisions like these can leave you confused about steps you should take to ensure you are properly compensated for vehicle damage after a minor accident. The New York Personal Injury Lawyers with William Mattar Law Offices explain you should:

• Contact Your Insurer – An accident resulting in damage to a vehicle should be reported to the insurer as soon as possible so a claim can be filed.
• Get Estimates – The insurer will likely give several options for repair centers where your vehicle can be taken to determine how much it will cost to fix your vehicle. If the expenses are deemed more than the vehicle’s value, it will be declared a total loss. Otherwise, repairs will be made as needed and paid for by the insurer.
• Sign Agreements – Once a damage amount is determined; the insurer will likely want you to sign an agreement. If the vehicle is a total loss, ensure the total you are given includes money for taxes, tags, and other expenses for a new vehicle. Also make sure the agreement is to cover claims of “property damage” only.