If your vehicle has suffered windshield damage, then you will want to gather supporting evidence to get your personal injury claim underway. It may be challenging to prove who is at fault for the damage, so you must have supporting evidence to show what happened and how it happened.
Broken windshields can be expensive depending on your make and model of vehicle.
You should take photos of the damage and the accident scene where the broken windshield happened. Check to see if there are any witnesses. You will want any and all eyewitnesses to provide written statements regarding what they saw and how your windshield was broken.
You will need to get an estimate for repairing the windshield. If the damage – the cracks or breaks – are severe, it will require replacement.
In some cases, if the damage isn’t too bad, the windshield can be repaired. A windshield repair man can use a filler to fill in any cracks or chips. This will often prevent the cracks from spreading and will allow you to save money without having to replace the entire windshield.
The repair method is often effective and can provide you years of quality service. You will want to save the estimates for repairing the windshield. You will need to keep any invoices or receipts for fixing your windshield or replacing it.
Gather as much supporting documentation as possible, so you can show when and where your windshield was damaged. You will want to be sure that you are compensated for any costs associated with the windshield damage and repair or replacement.
You should have a windshield repair man take care of your windshield repair or replacement. You want to make sure that it is done properly, so it will be safe and secure. Also, qualified repair facilities will include a warranty on their labor.
You may want to make calls to two or three repair shops to ask for quotes, but usually the charge will not vary significantly for a windshield.
You need any windshield repairs done promptly since that is a safety issue. You will want to make sure that you have everything done right so you can see where you need to go and don’t have to worry about more breaks or shattered glass because of the damage spreading.
If your windshield shatters or suffers serious damage after a collision with another vehicle or because you have been forced off the road due to the actions of another driver, you will be wondering whether you can claim the cost of repair and replacement from the other driver’s insurance provider.
As long as the damage was not your fault and you think you can prove that the other driver was at fault, then you should be able to claim compensation. Make sure you include all damage done to your vehicle and compensation for any injuries that you and other passengers may have had due to the accident. A personal injury attorney can help you with your claim.
The Cost Of A Windshield
The cost of repairing or replacing a windshield depends on the make and model of your car. According to car repair sites, the average cost for repairing a windshield varies from $25 to $325. CostHelper indicates that a replacement windshield can cost as much as $400, but often, insurance will pay some or all of the costs associated with the bill.
If you are filing the claim with your insurance, you should check your deductible. If your deductible is $500, you shouldn’t even file a claim because the cost of fixing the windshield is less than your deductible.
However, if the damage was caused by someone else, you will want to pursue a claim against their insurance. Their liability coverage should completely cover the costs associated with taking care of your damages.
You can get your claim started by sending a demand letter to the insurance company of the at-fault driver. Include all the basic details and make sure you have copies of your supporting evidence, such as witness statements, estimates or invoices, and photos.
The more evidence that you have, the better your chances of negotiating with the insurance company or making them willing to take care of the costs associated with the windshield damages.
Filing a Claim After Windshield Damage
If your car’s windshield has been broken or damaged in an accident, and it was through no fault of your own, you will want to file a property damage claim to cover the costs of fixing your windshield. Just so long as the damage was someone else’s fault, they are liable for what happened.
Even if your windshield damage happened in a no-fault state, you are still entitled to claim damages and hold the liable party responsible for the replacement costs.
The first step in filing a property damage claim after you have suffered a broken windshield, you will need to send a demand letter. In this letter, you will need to provide supporting evidence.
You must state the date and time of the accident, what happened, how it happened, and why you think the other party is liable for your damages. You will need to include supporting evidence, such as photos, witness statements, and repair estimates or receipts.
Every state has its own laws regarding the time limit for pursuing a personal injury claim to recover property damages. The statute of limitations can vary significantly, but it is usually two or three years from the date of the accident.
In some states, you only have a year after the accident to pursue a personal injury claim or to recover property damages. If you miss the deadline, you cannot recover compensation for your losses.
Specific Evidence Needed For Proving Windshield Damage
Insurers will not make any payment unless they see evidence of the damage done and that their client was the cause of the damage as well as any injuries. Take photos of the damage at the crash scene and the position of the two vehicles after the crash.
Eyewitnesses can provide statements confirming that you were hit by someone else or were forced to swerve because of the actions of another driver. It is likely that other damage was done to your car when it was hit, such as scratches or dents on the bonnet and front bumper.
The mechanic at the repair shop should be able to give you a breakdown of what was damaged, confirming when it was done and what it was caused by and how much it is likely to cost to repair. You’ll need to save any invoices from car accident repairs.
Why You Should Work With a PI Lawyer When Filing For Windshield Damage
If you face substantial repair bills, you should make sure you talk to a personal injury lawyer before submitting a claim to an insurance provider. The lawyer will assess the accident and the evidence you have available and suggest what you need to include with your claim.
You are likely to a more favorable response from the insurer if you leave the negotiations to the lawyer rather than try and do this all by yourself.
Your lawyer will help you determine if you suffered any other damages as well. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you will not have to pay anything out of pocket. Instead, personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis.
That means that your attorney will not be paid until you win your claim. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to share the details of your case with an accident injury lawyer who helps with property damage cases in your state. That way you will find out the best way to get your claim underway.
