Most people can go all their lives and not have to worry about getting into a car accident. For some of us, we’re not that lucky. You could get into a fender bender on the way to work. Or someone may rear-end you on the way home from the mall.
If this happens to you, chances are, you won’t know what you’re supposed to do. You know you’ll have to exchange insurance information. At some point, you’ll have to file an insurance claim. The question is simply whose insurance company will have to cover your damages.
The problem with any car accident case is that there will be a long time between the time of your crash and the day your claim is paid. It could be weeks or it could be months. If your claim is denied outright, it could be years before you see a dime.
In the meantime, you’re going to have to worry about all sorts of expenses. Odds are, you’ll have to cover a lot of these out of your own pocket. It’s really important that you keep track of these. Make sure you have all of your receipts. You’re going to have to turn all of these over to your Indianapolis car accident lawyer.
Car Rental Expenses
Some people think that, if their car gets wrecked in an accident, their insurance company will provide a rental car. To some extent, this is true. Your insurance company will usually offer to pay for a rental car for a certain period of time.
What a lot of people don’t realize is that there’s a good chance it’ll only cover certain types of cars. If you were used to driving a luxury SUV, odds are, your insurance company won’t pay for you to rent a luxury SUV.
If you want to rent a car comparable to what you had before, you may have to pay a portion of this yourself. For example, the insurance company may cover up to $27 dollars a day for a car rental. Most SUV cost more than this to rent. So, if you choose a car that costs $54 a day, you’ll have to pay the difference of $27 per day.
Your insurance company is also only going to cover a certain maximum amount of car rental fees. They may say they’ll pay up to $150 total. This means that, after 5-6 days, you’ll be on your own for covering car rental expenses.
It’s important that you keep documentation of all of these things. It will add up. Your Indianapolis car accident attorney can submit this as evidence of your damages.
You May Have to Pay Some Medical Bills
While your insurance company is still sorting out your claim, you may be responsible for some of your medical bills. You may be required to pay co-pays and prescription costs. This may not sound like a lot of money. However, they add up quickly. This is especially true if you have to pay a portion of your ambulance bill or emergency room visit.
You might require certain medical equipment. You may need a wheelchair or crutches. These things cost money. If your insurance company doesn’t cover 100% of these costs, you’ll be footing the bill. Again, it’s important that you keep records of all of these things. It’s a good idea to take pictures of each piece of equipment and attach it to the bill so your car accident lawyer in Indianapolis can explain it to a jury.
You Will Probably Have Car Repairs
If you have to pay to get your car fixed, the insurance company will more than likely cover it. Even if the other driver is held responsible, your insurance company will demand that the defendant’s insurance company reimburse them.
At a minimum, however, you will have to pay your deductible. A common deductible amount in this kind of situation is about $500-$1,000. It all depends on what you signed up for when you got your policy.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis
If you get into a car crash – even a minor one – you’ll have to pay for some things out of your own pocket. The defendant should be held responsible for these expenses. This is why you should keep receipts and all documentation.
Your Indianapolis car accident lawyer will work hard to get you compensation for all of these things. That’s why you should call and schedule your free initial consultation today.
