Personal injury law allows an accident victim to file a lawsuit against the negligent or at-fault party. The person or party responsible for the injuries can be held liable for your damages. Most states have mandatory guidelines regarding having a car insurance policy and the required levels of coverage.
If you cannot prove the other party’s negligence, there is a chance that your insurance company may try to reduce or even reject your claim for compensation. After an auto accident, many plaintiffs take legal action to improve their chances of receiving financial assistance that can help make them whole after the crash.
Dealing with insurance companies can be a daunting task, and many insurance agents often try to reduce the benefits to which a victim may be entitled. In this article, we will describe how you can pursue a claim with an insurance company.
Insurance companies generally have experienced professionals who will handle your case, but their main goal is to protect their own interests. Therefore, you may need to use strategic tactics and carefully presented evidence that proves your injuries in order for you to recover compensation. Having a reputable Austin personal injury attorney by your side can be very helpful throughout this process.
The Car Accident Claims Process
Most insurance carriers recommend that you contact them as soon as possible after an accident. You can even call them immediately from the accident scene to report the incident and then follow up with details later. Most insurance companies have specific timelines for reporting an accident and filing a claim. Most insurance companies require that you report the accident within 24 or 72 hours. Therefore, it is important to follow the specified timelines and report the accident within that time frame.
You can simply visit the insurance company’s website, contact them by phone, or use a mobile app to file your claim.
After completing this step, the insurance agent will contact you. They will request that you provide them with the necessary details that can expedite the compensation procedure. Here are a few elements that may be required to initiate the process:
- Vehicle description
- License plate number
- Location of the accident
- Date of the accident
- Description of any injuries
You should note down all the details of the vehicles involved in the accident and gather policy information for the at-fault driver. You should never admit fault while communicating with an insurance claims adjuster. It can affect your insurance claim, and you may end up getting nothing. The insurance company of the responsible party may contact you even when you are not at fault.
After you have provided all of the necessary information, the insurance adjuster may schedule a time to meet you to evaluate the condition of your vehicle and your health. Therefore, you should be prepared and avoid saying anything that may negatively affect your claim.
After they evaluate the condition of your vehicle, they may offer you an estimated cost for the repairs. If you have sustained injuries, it is recommended that you consult a legal professional. An experienced lawyer can deal with the insurance company on your behalf and will assist you with all the complex negotiations.
Keep These Things in Mind When Communicating with Claim Adjusters
Auto insurance adjusters are primarily interested in protecting the insurance company’s best interests and often try different strategies to reduce the compensation to which you are entitled. They may try to offer you minimal compensation to save the company’s money. Therefore, it is crucial to keep a few critical things in mind when dealing with the insurance company:
- Do not exaggerate the accident and talk only about the facts.
- Do not accept fault and say that you were responsible for any part of the accident. It may negatively affect the total compensation to which you are entitled.
- Be honest and provide information that the adjuster has requested.
- Do not provide unnecessary facts that they have not asked for.
- Avoid signing any document before consulting a legal professional or carefully reading the whole document. Signing an unfavorable document may negatively affect the compensation you can receive.
- You have the right to deny the initial settlement offer that the insurance company presents to you.
- If possible, it is recommended that you keep your answers short and to the point.
Get in Touch With A Legal Professional to Help You Proceed.
Handling insurance claims after an auto accident is not an easy task. As mentioned above, claim adjusters will likely try to provide minimal compensation after a crash.
When you have an experienced professional by your side, they can help ensure that you get appropriate compensation for your damages. You should contact us to help you navigate through the claims process.