If you have been involved in a car accident, you might suffer a variety of damages. Of course, your car will suffer damages. Most of these damages consist of damage to the body of the car. Sometimes vehicles suffer tire damage in crashes.
You may have to provide evidence to show that your tire damage was caused by a car accident because the other driver and their insurer might dispute that. With the right documentation and evidence, you may have a successful personal injury claim in which you recover property damages, including compensation to cover the costs of your tires.
Documentation to Support Your Claim
You will need evidence to prove that your tire damage was caused by the crash. Anytime you are in an accident, you should call the police. The police will perform a preliminary investigation and create an accident report. Be sure to state the facts about the accident, don’t state your opinion.
There are several other things that you can do to help preserve evidence.
- Take photos of the accident scene. Be sure to get photos all the way around the vehicles to show the damages, including the tires.
- Ask any witnesses for statements. Also, ask them to include their names and contact details so they can be contacted later for additional information if necessary.
- Keep copies of the tow bill. If your vehicle has damaged tires, it will need to be towed. If you get a rental car while your car is being fixed, keep those receipts as well.
- Get a written estimate for fixing the vehicle. The estimate should include an itemize list for replacing the tires, mounting them, balancing them, and putting them on your vehicle.
- Keep documentation of any other losses. These losses include medical bills and proof of lost wages.
- Get statements from witnesses. Those who saw your vehicle before the crash can confirm they didn’t see a flat tire. Also, since you were driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, you can argue that your tires had to be inflated.
The more documentation that you can provide for the claim, the much more likely you are to have success with your personal injury claim and recover property damages for tire damage caused by a car accident.
Consult With a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have suffered tire damage in a car accident, or any damages in the crash, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. These claims can be challenging, so you need the guidance of an attorney who handles auto accident claims.
There is a strict statute of limitations for pursuing such claims, so don’t wait too long to file your property damage claim. Talk with a personal injury attorney. You will not pay anything out of pocket because personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. That means the accident injury lawyer will not receive payment until you win your case.