How To Make Your Settlement Process Simple
Being involved in an accident and sustaining an injury can be a life changing experience. In order to get back to the way things were prior to your accident, there are plenty of things you can do. For instance, simply cooperating with your personal injury lawyer and insurance company can assist in receiving compensation much faster. As accidents happen on a regular basis, there are many issues within the accident itself, which need to be covered. Today, we will examine how to make your settlement process as smooth as can be.
One of the most important aspects of filing a successful claim with your insurance company is to document everything pertaining to your accident. For this, we suggest carrying three objects at all times, a pen, a paper and a camera. As well, we also suggest keeping a folder either on your computer or in a briefcase, which can be used to organize all of the documents pertaining to your case. You want to establish a paper trail, so that the insurance company and the negligent party in your accident can’t change their responses to any agreements you might have made. For example, many insurance adjusters will try to negotiate your case through the telephone, with the intention that what they tell you on the phone won’t have to be the same as in person. Therefore, when you receive your actual settlement, it will always be less then what you agreed over the phone.
However, by writing down all communication from the insurance adjuster, having them send you a copy of the agreement you had over the phone and keeping the receipts of everything, you can assure that the insurance adjuster will not mess you around. Now at first glance, you may think we are being paranoid, but the reality is that insurance companies and defendants want to take as little responsibility as possible. In other words, recording absolutely all contact and communication, can hold the defendants in your case responsible for their actions. Recording all the information also makes everything simple for your lawyer, who can then organize your claim accordingly.
Another issue in simplifying your claim is the contact you keep with your employer. In essence, your boss needs to know that you have been in accident, for a couple of reasons, as they need to put you on workers compensation if it applies, and they need to fill out all income replacement documents. If you are hurt in a motor vehicle accident while on the job, then the employer needs to set you up with the WSIA policy. This policy requires that the workers compensation policy pay the brunt of your damages, and limits the amount you can receive from the statutory accident benefits schedule.
Your boss also has to be informed about your accident, to indicate to the insurance company that you have taken the measures to receive compensation prior to filing your accident benefits claim. A claim is often denied, because the victim has yet to inform their place of work that they have been in an accident. As this is the case, the insurance company will not have an accurate reflection of how much money you are entitled to in income replacement benefits. By following the rules of an accident claim, you can receive your benefits in a more efficient time frame.
When looking for personal injury lawyers, make sure to visit www.personalinjurylawyersintoronto.ca today. Here you can read more about the legal process and find out about your rights and responsibilities following an accident.