| This is a FREE Insurance Claim Guide | | | | insurance coverage you have or by taking sick leave |
| Your "Motor Vehicle" can be a truck, car, motorcycle | | | | and/or some other similar type of arrangement. |
| - - you name it! If it's powered by a motor and has | | | | There are specific situations to be considered and |
| one, two, three, four (or even more) wheels this | | | | called to the forefront when it comes to being |
| "Guide" is for you. | | | | employed either full-time or part-time. More detailed |
| The information below is a bare-bones "Guide" for | | | | information (regarding these above stated area's of |
| those who have had such a motor vehicle accident. It | | | | your loss) are found in CHAPTER FOUR "Damages" |
| details the basics of how one should with their | | | | within the book AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL |
| property damage and/or personal injury claim. | | | | INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM. |
| AFTER IMPACT CHECKLIST | | | | (3) PROPERTY DAMAGE LOSSES: "AGREED COST |
| We heartily suggest you make a copy of this | | | | TO REPAIR": This figure has been negotiated |
| "Impact Checklist" to be kept handy within the | | | | between your damage repair person and the |
| confines of your motor vehicle. A "Guide" to refer to | | | | insurance adjuster. Be sure you know (and possess a |
| so you'll be certain, should an accident take place, | | | | written copy of) exactly what that figure |
| that you've covered everything. | | | | is.COLLISION: There's usually a deductible. Read your |
| Other than the fact that one must obtain from the | | | | policy. (If you're not at fault you should eventually be |
| other operator, both their drivers license and motor | | | | able to get this money back).PROPERTY DAMAGE |
| vehicle registration information, you should also | | | | LIABILITY: Protects you for damages you do to the |
| proceed to do the following: | | | | property of another (i.e. his or her trees, lawn, |
| IMMEDIATELY MAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF: Names and | | | | shrubs, mailbox, etc.) EXCLUSIONS: These are stated |
| addresses of eye witnesses. And later the | | | | in your policy. A good rule of thumb is, "If it's not |
| investigating police officers name and badge number. | | | | excluded, it's covered". Read your policy closely to |
| WEATHER CONDITIONS: Snow, rain, fog, mist, sleet, | | | | discover your exclusions and how they apply. TOTAL |
| etc. ROAD SURFACE: Dry, wet, slippery, icy, | | | | LOSS: A "Total Loss" is when the motor vehicle |
| etc.IMPACT AREA: City, suburban, business, wooded, | | | | damage exceeds the value of the vehicle, as stated |
| etc. VISIBILITY: Sunny, cloudy, dusk, night, | | | | within all of the up-to-date and "Official" Property |
| moonlight, etc. (Was the sun in the other driver's | | | | Damage books and/or documents. OTHER |
| face)? TRAFFIC CONTROLS: Were there overhead | | | | PROPERTY DAMAGE LOSSES: Clothing, jewelry, |
| lights? Posted speed limit signs? Stop or warning | | | | watches, eye or sunglasses, etc. You can also collect |
| signs? Hospital or school zone signs? CREATE A | | | | for your (or any other individuals) personal property |
| DIAGRAM: Driving area: Flat, crowned, straight, | | | | which happened to be in the car and was damaged. |
| curved, macadam, asphalt, concrete, cobblestone, | | | | (Be sure to have written proof of the cost of each |
| dirt, etc. Indicate the width of street. Show the | | | | item damaged plus the date it was purchased). Never |
| location of impact, gouge and/or skid marks. | | | | forget: You're entitled to be reimbursed for any |
| CONDITION OF MOTOR VEHICLE THAT STRUCK | | | | charges you may have incurred for towing, storage |
| YOU: Age and general overall condition. Is their state | | | | and/or substitute motor vehicle rental, or for that |
| inspection sticker displayed and up to date? Were | | | | matter - - any other alternate transportation. |
| chains or snow tires needed? AS SOON AS | | | | The above is a very brief review. For more in-depth |
| POSSIBLE RETURN TO THE SCENE AND SNAP | | | | information read CHAPTER FIVE: PROPERTY |
| PHOTOGRAPHS: It's most important to take pictures | | | | DAMAGE found in AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL |
| of: Skid or gouge mark's on the road surface plus the | | | | INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM. |
| damage to both vehicles. PHOTOS OF YOUR | | | | (4) WHAT YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR AND/OR |
| BODILY INJURIES: It's crucial to the ultimate value of | | | | CHIROPRACTOR REPORT SHOULD STATE: Each |
| your claim to snap a multitude of colored photos (up | | | | "Injury Evaluation Factor" should be clearly stated |
| close and from different angles) of your bodily | | | | within each of your final Medical Reports. For |
| injuries - - especially all black and blue marks or | | | | example: That your disability is solely the result of the |
| bruises. | | | | accident. If there were any pre-existing conditions |
| INSIGHTS INTO HANDLING YOUR CLAIM (There | | | | aggravated by your injuries? What treatments were |
| Are Six Areas You Must Be Familiar With) 1. | | | | administered and for what duration? What |
| Out-Of-Pocket Expenses 2. Lost Time From Work - | | | | medications were prescribed, in what amounts and |
| Lost Wages 3. Property Damage Losses 4. What | | | | for how long? What symptoms or medical problems |
| Your Medical Doctor And/Or Chiropractor Reports | | | | were such medications meant to relieve? Were there |
| Should State 5. Medical Payments Coverage 6. What | | | | any adverse reactions demonstrated? Ask to read |
| To Do If An Adjuster Refuses To Cooperate | | | | them before they're sent to the adjuster so you're |
| You Should Go Into Detail Regarding These (Below | | | | sure it explains the nature, plus the extent and |
| Listed) Six Areas: | | | | frequency of the pain that an injury, such as yours, |
| (1) OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES:These are expenses | | | | will likely cause. |
| that can be measured in definite sums of money. | | | | PROGNOSIS: This is the clearly stated information |
| They are the foundation of the calculations used to | | | | (regarding your personal injury progress) and should |
| award damages (including that often great and extra | | | | include: The part played by a pre-existing condition, if |
| amount paid to you for your "Pain and Suffering") | | | | any? Their prediction of any possible future |
| regarding any financial loss flowing directly from the | | | | temporary disability/impairments? Does the individual |
| injury you may have sustained. | | | | attending you anticipate any further or future |
| MEDICAL EXPENSES: Obtain all bills and services | | | | treatments? LENGTH OF YOUR "TOTAL" |
| rendered. (Prior to their being sent out, you have | | | | DISABILITY: Why? Because it's so important (when |
| ever right to ask for and read the crucial Final | | | | it comes time to settle) this is clearly stated in |
| Reports regarding your physical condition from your | | | | weeks and days. LENGTH OF YOUR "PARTIAL" |
| Doctor, Chiropractor, "Medical Specialist" and/or | | | | DISABILITY: Again (and for the same reason as |
| Dentist).Medical Expenses Typically Include: | | | | above) this too should be clearly stated in weeks and |
| Ambulance ~ Emergency Room ~ Hospital or Clinic ~ | | | | days. (Specific details, regarding both "Partial" and |
| Laboratory Fees and Services ~ Diagnostic Tests: | | | | "Total" Disability , and the incredible value it provides |
| (X-rays and/or CT Scan) ~ Registered or Practical | | | | for you in your claim, are found in CHAPTER SIX: |
| Nurse Fees ~ Medicine and/or Prescription | | | | YOUR BODILY INJURY). |
| Medications ~ Prosthetic Appliances or Surgical | | | | (5) MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVERAGE: If you have |
| Apparatus (Canes & crutch, etc.) ~ Physical | | | | this coverage in your motor vehicle policy, it will pay |
| Therapy ~ Ace Bandages, Gauze & Tape ~ | | | | (up to the limits stated) for all medical bills arising out |
| Heating Pads ~ Creams, Ointments, Balms & | | | | of the accident - - regardless of who's at fault! (You |
| Salves. As you read them make sure these Medical | | | | must read your policy carefully because the "Who", |
| Reports include the length of time of your "Total | | | | "Why" and/or "How" of this often differs). |
| Disability" and/or your "Partial Disability". These are of | | | | A WORD ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS: In |
| enormous value because they justify the often | | | | certain instances, it may be possible to have your |
| HUGE, extra payment made for your "Pain and | | | | medical bills paid and yet avoid any repayment by |
| Suffering" . (Plus this information will also prove your | | | | tapping into your health insurance coverage, or some |
| claim for Lost Wages). | | | | other plan you may have. (Yes, this means, under |
| NON-MEDICAL DAMAGE EXPENSES. These include: | | | | certain circumstances, you may be able to collect |
| Lost Wages and Earnings ~ Lost Vacation Time and | | | | twice for the same medical bills)! |
| or Sick Leave ~ Travel Expenses: (Transportation | | | | (6) WHAT TO DO IF THE ADJUSTER REFUSES TO |
| costs incurred getting to and from The Doctor and | | | | COOPERATE? These Are Your Usual And Routine |
| or Hospital, etc.) ~ Household Help During Disability ~ | | | | Choices: a. Threaten that you're going to obtain the |
| Child Care During Recuperation. | | | | services of a lawyer to represent you. b. Go over |
| (2) LOST TIME FROM WORK - - LOST WAGES - - | | | | the adjuster's head. c. Resolve your loss in Small |
| YOUR "LOSS EARNING CAPACITY": The weeks, | | | | Claims Court. d. Contact the proper people (working |
| hours and/or days you were unable to work (thus | | | | through the State Department of Insurance) |
| the money you may have lost) is added up and | | | | implementing the time honored principle of "Good |
| documented on company letterhead. You're often | | | | Faith" vs. "Bad Faith". |
| entitled to compensation for "Lost Time and | | | | All the information necessary for you to deal with |
| Earnings" even if you have no actual loss of money ! | | | | and handle the above issues are spelled out within |
| Such as, for example, if your salary is paid by some | | | | the contents of AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL |
| other insurance coverage you may have or by taking | | | | INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And |
| sick leave or some other similar arrangement. It | | | | Settle Your Loss) found on the internet at or This |
| doesn't matter if you're employed full time, part time, | | | | book also contains BASE (The Baldyga Auto Accident |
| self-employed, own your own business, retired, | | | | Settlement Formula). THE BASE FORMULA will tell |
| unemployed, or a housewife not employed outside | | | | you exactly how many dollars the "Pain and |
| the home, you should keep a written record of all | | | | Suffering" you endured are worth. |
| household help and/or child care needed during your | | | | DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this article is to |
| disability period. | | | | help people understand the motor vehicle accident |
| All of these constitute an element of your "SPECIAL | | | | claim process. Dan Baldyga, does not offer a |
| DAMAGES" mainly "Lost Wages". Insurance | | | | guarantee of any kind whatsoever, NOR to |
| companies usually don't view your time away from | | | | substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or |
| work (because of an injury) as "Lost Time And | | | | claims consultant, or the like. Where such professional |
| Earnings" but as "Lost Earning Capacity". In most | | | | help is desired it is the INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLY |
| states one is entitled to compensation for lost time | | | | to obtain such services. |
| and earnings even if they have no loss of money. For | | | | Copyright (c) 2004 By Daniel G. Baldyga. All Rights |
| example, when your salary is paid for by another | | | | Reserved. |