How do I Handle the Property Damage to My Vehicle?

You can handle the property damage to your vehicle by:

• Documenting the damage done to your car
• Getting your car repaired (if possible) and renting or buying a new vehicle as necessary
• Speaking with our Maryland car accident lawyers about your rights
• Filing the appropriate insurance claims to get compensation

How to Document Property Damage to Your Vehicle

Whether you end up filing a claim with the liable party’s insurance company or your own, you will need to establish that the damage done is a result of the car crash.

The first thing you should do to handle the property damage to your vehicle is collect evidence of how that damage happened, including:

• Photos of your vehicle both before and after the collision
• All documentation pertaining to your car, including its registration
• Estimates or communications from the repair shop

Our auto accident lawyers can help you gather some or all of the evidence you will need to prove your claim.

With a strong enough casefile, you can persuade the insurance company to cover all losses related to the crash, including not just property damage but also other financial expenses and physical and emotional trauma.

Getting Your Vehicle Fixed or Replaced as Soon as Possible

Your family depends on your vehicle. Without it, everyday tasks—from getting to work and dropping the kids off at school to shopping for groceries—become extremely difficult. That is why it is vital to get a working vehicle as soon as possible following your crash. You can do this by:

• Taking your car to a repair shop and getting an estimate of how much it will cost and how much time it will take to fix the damage
• Going to the dealership to pick out potential new cars, if your old one is beyond repair
• Renting a car that your family can use until your old car is fixed or you can purchase a new one

Do not worry about the cost of these services right now. Our car accident lawyers can get the at-fault party’s insurance company to pay for everything you need to recover from both property damage and bodily injuries.

Getting Our Property Damage Attorneys on Your Side

You might be tempted to contact your insurance company before a lawyer. This is not always the best move. Insurers realize how badly you need compensation and may try to take advantage of you. Even if they do treat you fairly, insurance policies can be very intricate and confusing, making it hard for you to know whose policy covers what.

Even if it seems like there was minimal damage to your car, it is still a good idea to get in touch with our law firm because:

• Any amount of damage is unacceptable, especially if the other driver caused the crash through negligence
• You might not realize the full extent of the property damage until a mechanic thoroughly inspects the vehicle
• Your car’s value will still be diminished because of the crash, entitling you to compensation for the lost value
• Even if your property damage is minimal, that does not mean your physical and emotional injuries will not have a big impact on your life

By putting your case in our hands, you can focus on getting whatever medical treatment you need and making plans for your family’s future. Our motor vehicle accident lawyers can monitor the insurance companies to ensure they assess your claim appropriately.

Filing an Insurance Claim for Property Damage

What kind of insurance claim should you file to get compensation for car damage? That depends on the circumstances surrounding your accident. For example:

• Is the other driver liable? If so, their liability insurance covers up to $15,000 worth of property damage, per Page 10 of “A Consumer Guide to Auto Insurance.”
• Is the other driver uninsured? If the liable driver does not have the legally required amount of insurance, you can recover up to $15,000 for property damage from your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
• Do you have insurance? You are not required to purchase policies like collision coverage, towing and labor coverage, or rental reimbursement coverage. However, if you do have these policies, you can file a claim with them.

If the damage to your vehicle is severe, filing a single claim may not be enough, because policy limits may prevent you from recovering the full extent of your losses. Our legal team can work to identify every single insurance policy available to you so that, if necessary, you can file multiple claims to get the money you need.

Why Handling Property Damage to Your Vehicle in the Right Way Is Essential

Performing the actions outlined above protects your rights in the aftermath of an auto accident. Each one provides a crucial advantage as you decide what to do next. For example:

• The timely collection of evidence helps to prove that your property damage was a result of the accident. Without it, the insurance company could claim that the damage was preexisting or caused by something else.
• Taking steps to repair your car and rent a new one enables your family to reestablish your old routine faster. It also generates additional evidence, like repair bills.
• Dealing with insurers by yourself puts unnecessary strain on you and gives the insurance adjuster an opportunity to manipulate you into signing away your rights.

With support from our car crash attorneys, you can fight for everything you need without having to handle your case alone.

Let Our Lawyers Recover Compensation for Your Damaged Vehicle

For over ten years, the team at Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers has represented deserving clients like you. We know how to handle the property damage to your vehicle by pursuing fair compensation through various insurance companies.

Call now for a free case review. We stay in constant contact with clients throughout the legal process, so you never feel alone.