A car accident can change your life in the blink of an eye, and afterward, you’ll be left with the consequences. Costs stemming from an accident can seem overwhelming, but your insurance policy may be able to help.

Car accidents cause millions of injuries every year, which sends medical costs into the billions. When you’ve got a share of that price tag to cover, you’ll likely be working with your insurance company. Knowing what the process has in store can smooth the way toward getting the help you need.

• Collect evidence: You’ll want to start gathering information as soon as possible. Details can begin to fade quickly after an accident, so make sure you’re keeping detailed notes. Times and dates, eye-witness accounts and photos can all be useful when handling your claim.
• Notify your insurance: Most times you’re in an accident with another car, or an injury occurs, it’s generally a good idea to get in touch with your insurer. This is also a good time to ask any questions you may have about coverage limits, deductibles and timeframes that pertain to your claim.
• Paperwork: Once you notify your insurance provider, they’ll probably let you know everything you need to hand over. You may need to paint a complete picture of your claim by providing documents from police reports to work schedules to bills.
• Insurance rights: Once you file a claim, your insurance company will likely have certain rights on the way to validating your claim. Policies often grant them allowances, like being able to look over your medical records and inspect your vehicle prior to repairs.

Knowing what you need to do after an accident can make the process smoother, especially when dealing with your insurance company. Make sure you’ve got everything in order, you understand the process and you could be on your way to help to cover your costs.