Philadelphia, like most major cities, sees thousands of car accidents each year. While many are minor fender benders, some result in serious injuries and property damage. When harm occurs, accident victims have a legal right to pursue compensation from at-fault drivers and their insurance companies by filing an injury claim. This process, historically manual and cumbersome, is being revolutionized by new technologies that are simplifying and expediting claims for Philadelphia accident victims.
Technology has revolutionized the claims process, making it quicker, more efficient, and more precise. Let us discuss how technology has transformed car accident claims.
Online Legal Services and Consultations
The rise of online legal services is having a big impact on car accident claims in Philadelphia. Accident victims can now easily consult virtually with Philadelphia car accident attorneys to discuss their options and legal rights. These online legal services make obtaining legal help for accident claims much more accessible and affordable.
Having on-demand access to legal expertise through technology means claimants no longer have to rely on just an insurance adjuster’s guidance. Online legal services level the playing field and give claimants the proper advice they need throughout the claims process.
Online Accident Reporting
In the past, reporting a car accident to the police and insurance companies was time-consuming, requiring phone calls and in-person meetings. Today, the city of Philadelphia allows online accident report filing, with some towns even providing apps to upload photos and details from the scene. Insurance companies also allow claim initiation through websites or apps, using guided questionnaires to capture preliminary information. This simplifies the initial documentation process.
Event Data Recorders (EDRs)
These gadgets are integrated into modern vehicles and serve as a “black box” for cars. Vehicles equipped with EDR technology do not record every drive or movement. They do, however, capture acts that are known to occur prior to accidents.
If the event data recorder detects a change or circumstance that might lead to an accident, the vehicle’s installed recorder begins gathering information about how the automobile is traveling. It can also tell how many people are in the car and if they’re wearing seatbelts.
Data obtained from an EDR is allowed as evidence in an automobile accident lawsuit. This technology’s information can even be used to prove situations when there are no witnesses, and the parties have drastically differing memories of events.
Accident Reconstruction Technology
Determining fault in an accident historically required lengthy investigations, analyzing skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, and other evidence. New technologies are automating and expediting this process. Laser scanning technology can quickly create 3D models of the accident scene. Vehicle black boxes provide crash data recorder evidence. Accident reconstruction software can analyze these inputs to model the collision and scientifically determine causes and faults.
Telematics and Smartphones
Insurance telematics, using a policyholder’s smartphone or onboard diagnostic port, provides real-time driving data and insights before and during an accident. This includes speed, acceleration, braking, and other metrics. Video dash cams are also increasingly common. Data and footage from these devices can provide unambiguous documentation of accidents, greatly simplifying claims investigations.
Mobile Apps
Car accident claims involve many stakeholders – drivers, passengers, insurers, attorneys, and more. Historically, communication was manual through mail and phone calls. Mobile apps are revolutionizing this process with integrated messaging, file sharing, telephony, and video conferencing. All parties can collaborate in real time through the claim lifecycle.
Apps bring all the claim details together in one place, so customers don’t have to make multiple calls or visits to adjusters’ offices. The increased transparency and convenience provided by mobile claim apps result in higher customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
Looking ahead, new technologies are simplifying everything from accident documentation to communication and evidence sharing between parties. As a result, it has helped reduce delays in fair settlements for victims. While work remains, these innovations are profoundly improving the claims experience after a traumatic event. Technology will continue revolutionizing this field to the benefit of Philadelphia drivers.
