If you get into an accident outside of your state of residency, your insurance claim will be different. Whether you’re involved in an accident minutes away from your home or you’re across the country, there are several critical steps you need to take in the first moments and days following the accident.
These steps include calling the police; seeking medical attention; taking pictures of the scene; getting contact information for witnesses; and notifying your insurance company. Also, never admit fault and let the police decide who gets the ticket. Or if the police were not involved let the insurance adjusters determine who is at fault. If you admit fault, regardless of if you do receive the ticket or not, your insurance premium will automatically increase.
Check Policy
Every state in the U.S. has its own policies and procedures regarding insurance, coverage limits, and tort thresholds. As far as insurance coverage goes, typically auto policies extend coverage to all areas within the U.S.. These areas also include U.S. territories and Canadian provinces and territories. As long as you are in these covered locations, you should still receive insurance coverage. Since auto insurance extends past state lines, reporting out-of-town accidents to your insurance company should have a similar process. After calling your insurance company, they may assign you an adjuster from either your hometown or the area where the accident occurred, depending on the company’s policies.
Even if your accident occurs hundreds of miles from home, your insurance company can provide information regarding their resources. Each insurance company has its own network of towing companies, mechanics, and insurance adjusters. As long as you have sufficient auto insurance and your claim falls within the guidelines of your policy you shouldn’t have any trouble receiving compensation regardless of where you are. If you are denied coverage, unreasonably, you may need to contact an insurance bad faith attorney to find out why.
Your auto accident case will be subject to the statute of limitations set by the state where the accident occurred. Make sure to look up these limitations as soon as possible. Deadlines regarding claim submissions and accident documentation differ.
In the case where neither party in a personal injury case share a home state, diversity jurisdiction falls under the control of federal courts, these cases specifically cover personal injury cases in which the value exceeds $75,000.
What is Different in a Multi-State Personal Injury Case?
When you have an accident in your home state, the plaintiff and defendant settle their case in a single jurisdiction. A multi-state case is more complicated. You have to deal with both your health and auto insurance companies reimbursing you for claims starting in a different state. One would think that you could file where you lived but states have sovereign power and they have claim over jurisdiction over controversies such as auto accidents that occur in their state.
In a multi-state case, you’ll have to file your claim in and hire an attorney from that state. An attorney from your home state will be well versed in their state and national laws; however, they will not be knowledgeable in law for other states.
The main difference between normal and multi-state cases is that every few months, you may need to return to the state where the accident occurred. During this trip, you’ll have a few meetings with your attorney and possibly a doctor’s appointment. Additionally, having to hire an attorney from the state of the accident rather than your home state.
Were you or someone you know involved in a recent auto accident? Call Auto Accident Care Network now at 801-683-1948 to connect with a live care advocate. Our team at AACN can connect you to trusted attorneys and doctors to schedule a free legal consultation, a free thirty-minute massage, and a no-cost medical exam!
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