After an accident, you can experience certain losses, known as damages. These may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering, among others. Depending on the cause of your accident, you may be eligible to hold the at-fault party liable for these damages. Since very few people can pay for thousands of dollars’ worth of expenses out-of-pocket, insurance claims allow you to collect this compensation. There are multiple types of insurance claims you can file.
Car Insurance Claims
Texas is a fault accident state, which means that negligent drivers responsible for accidents must pay for the damages of those injured in the collision. Passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are eligible for this compensation. If you suffer an injury in an accident that was not your fault, you can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s auto insurance with the help of a Houston car accident lawyer.
The insurance adjuster will then investigate the accident and determine who was responsible. If the company finds the policyholder at-fault, you will receive a settlement offer that you can choose to deny or accept. However, if the adjuster believes that you caused the accident or is unable to determine liability, the company may reject the claim.
Homeowner’s Insurance Claims
Homeowners have a responsibility to maintain safe premises and respond to potential hazards in a reasonable manner. They must also warn visitors of any hazards that could harm them. If any accidents occur on their properties, these homeowners may be financially liable. For example, if you fall on a set of broken stairs and the homeowner knew and failed to warn you about the hazard, you could hold him or her liable for your damages.
Homeowner’s insurance covers a wide range of accidents and natural disasters that could occur on a person’s property. This includes damage from catastrophic events such as floods and fires, as well as the damages of any person who suffers an injury due to the homeowner’s negligence. After your premises liability accident, you can file a claim under this insurance to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
Business Liability Claims
Business liability insurance claims work in a very similar fashion to homeowner’s insurance. Both involve the same duty of care; like homeowners, business owners must keep their premises safe and inform visitors of potential hazards. For example, if someone spills a drink on a grocery store’s floor, the employees will need to mark the area with a caution sign until they clean the spill.
If the spill lingers for hours and employees fail to warn visitors of the hazard, you could accidentally slip and fall in the grocery store. In this situation, you may be eligible to file a claim against the store’s liability insurance. Like a homeowner’s insurance claim, you will need to prove that the business breached its duty to maintain safe premises, leading to your slip and fall injuries.
Filing an Insurance Claim in Texas
Insurance policies protect potentially liable parties from financial ruin after an accident, and aid injured parties in their recovery. If you suffer injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible for this compensation – and you need an attorney on your side. A Houston personal injury lawyer can guide you through the claims process and find your optimal path to recovery. Contact your lawyer as soon as possible following your injury to discuss your legal options.
