A car accident can have severe consequences and can negatively affect an individual’s personal and professional life. If you live in the United States, it is important to know that federal and state laws can protect you if you are in certain types of accidents.
Tort law allows victims to receive compensation for the damages and injuries they have suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence or intentional acts. It is critical to have evidence that comprehensively documents the victim’s injuries. There are two ways you can seek compensation for your damages.
One is by taking help from a renowned car accident attorney and the other way is by negotiating with the insurance agency. It is critical to note that most car accident claims are settled outside of court with insurance carriers.
Here, we will brief you on how you can handle a car accident claim with an insurance company to seek compensation for your injuries. Continue reading to understand the steps required to handle a car accident claim with the insurance company.
Filing a Claim for Compensation After an Accident
Before you file a claim for compensation with an insurance company, it is recommended that you review the procedure first so you can understand it correctly. To begin the process, you will first have to report it to the insurance company. Here are the steps that you may need to follow to initiate the process:
- Inform the insurance company: You can either file a claim online or call the company’s auto department. Some insurance companies also have a mobile app you can use to file a claim. You should not delay in informing the insurance company about the incident. The earlier you contact them, the better it can be for dealing with the situation. You should consider informing the insurance company at the earliest opportunity.
- A local claim adjuster may contact you: After you have informed the insurer of the accident, the insurance company can assign a local claims adjuster who will connect with you personally. The claims adjuster may ask you for a statement and then proceed with the next stage.
- Investigation: After the claim adjuster has recorded your statement, they will begin investigating the accident. They will review what exactly happened to determine the liability and value of your claim. It is recommended that you do not exaggerate the facts. Stick to the facts and do not offer any additional information that is not specifically requested.
- Estimate: After they have reviewed your claim application, they will offer you an estimate. It is suggested that you get in touch with a legal professional to deal with the insurance agents and negotiate with them. In most cases, insurance agents offer lower amounts than you deserve for the initial settlement proposal. Experts often advise victims that they should not accept the initial settlement offers because a legal professional can help them understand the actual value of their claim.
- After all of the negotiations with the insurance agency, you will receive the settlement. While the deadline for submitting a claim may vary depending on the insurance agency, some insurance companies do not have a specific deadline. However, you should ideally begin the process as early as possible. You can even call the insurance company when you are still at the scene of the accident.
Before you begin the steps above, you should ensure that you have supporting evidence or documentation to support your claim. After a car accident, it is also important for you to seek immediate medical attention.
Delaying medical treatment can cause your health to deteriorate and may even affect your settlement claim. Consulting experienced injury lawyers can be a beneficial decision. They can provide guidance through the claims process after an accident.
Increasing Your Chances of Getting Fair Compensation
Most popular insurance companies in the United States hire qualified professionals and agents who will use different tactics to reduce the amount of money that your claim is worth and offer you less than you deserve. This is one of the reasons why it is important to have a legal professional by your side who can deal with the insurance agents.
You should avoid making the mistake of accepting any fault for the accident or your injuries. Making even minor errors can reduce your chances of getting a fair settlement from them. To increase your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve, you should do the following:
- Avoid accepting fault for any aspect of the accident.
- Do not exaggerate any facts.
- Do not provide unnecessary information that the claim adjuster has not requested.
- Cooperate with the claims adjuster.
- Avoid signing any document without reading it carefully.
- Consult a professional before signing any documents.
- Keep track of all your medical evidence.
- Gather any supporting evidence you can find to increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.
It is often recommended to get in touch with an attorney who can handle all of the communication and negotiations with the insurance agency on your behalf. Your lawyer can review your case and help you get appropriate compensation for your injuries.