If your car has been involved in a collision, there may be more damage than you first thought after having an inspection. Even solid items like batteries can be damaged by a jolt.
The sudden impact can cause battery plates to snap off internally severely restricting the voltage and necessitating a new battery. Battery damage by itself is rarely found after a car accident. There are usually other signs that the car has been hit by another vehicle.
Batteries can also become damaged if the car is forced to negotiate a badly maintained stretch of road. Batteries should be firmly strapped in place, but a severe jolt caused by a pot hole or obstruction in the road can loosen the battery and cause internal structural damage. In any event, if you believe that the battery was damaged because of someone else’s negligence you may have grounds to recover the cost of replacing the battery and any other equipment through a compensation claim.
Filing a Claim After Battery Damage
If you have suffered any sort of damage to your vehicle and/or injuries as a result of a car accident for which someone else was to blame, then you have the right to claim compensation. If the accident was caused by someone hitting your vehicle and the driver admits to being at fault, then a simple claim for damages can usually be filed with the other driver’s insurance provider. If the damage was caused by poor road conditions and you believe that the company or government department responsible for maintenance was negligent then a claim is still possible but more complicated.
Apart from knowing exactly who or what caused the damage to your car, you should make yourself aware of the procedure for making a claim. If it is a road surface issue, then this would naturally be more difficult, as the time limit imposed on such a claim would be much shorter than for an insurance claim with an individual driver’s insurer.
Specific Evidence Needed For Proving Battery Damage
All claims must be submitted with sufficient evidence that the damage claimed for was caused by the person or agency that you state in your submission. Photos of the crash scene or place where damage was done to your car on the road are very useful.
Take photos if you can of the damage done. This may be difficult if it is just the battery. If you cannot start the car after the crash, then it will need towing away or someone could come and bring another charged battery.
This person can act as a witness to confirm the fact that the battery was damaged badly. At the repair yard, mechanics can confirm in a statement that the battery needed to be replaced after the accident and also report on any other damage done to the car which backs up your claim, such as scratches and dents in the bodywork.
Why You Should Work With a PI Lawyer When Filing For Battery Damage
If you only have battery damage, then you may only need a hundred dollars or so to purchase another one. You will have to balance this cost with the hassle of making a claim.
It may not be worth it if it looks as if it could be difficult proving who or what caused it. However, if there is other substantial damage and/or injuries you shouldn’t hesitate but seek out a personal injury lawyer who can help you obtain the compensation you need. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation on this page to have the details of your claim looked over by an auto accident lawyer that takes cases in your area!
