The Insurance Process
The stress and confusion that follows a car crash doesn't necessarily end when both parties have driven away. If you've been in an auto accident that causes property damage or injury to yourself or others, you will need to file a claim with your insurance company and/or the insurers of the other parties involved.
Reporting the Claim
When you contact your insurer, your insurance agent or company representative will ask you to provide some basic information. To make this easier, have the details of your accident on hand, including:
- Your policy number
- The make, model, year, registration and license plate number of the vehicle involved in the accident
- The date, time and location of the collision
- The extent of any injuries
- The nature of any damage to your vehicle
- The names, driver's license numbers and insurance information for the other driver(s) involved in the accident
- The name and badge number of the police officer who was present at the scene of the accident, if applicable
If you were hurt in the accident and believe you weren't at fault, you should contact the other driver's insurance company as soon as you can to begin the claims process. While the other party's insurer will not pay your medical bills immediately, you be entitled to compensation for these expenses once the accident investigation is complete.
The Claim Investigation
After you've notified your insurer of the accident, a claims adjuster will usually be assigned to your claim to investigate. The adjuster will evaluate any damage to your vehicle from the accident as well as the extent of any injuries that resulted. They will also review your auto policy to determine which costs are covered and if any deductibles apply.
If your accident was minor and there is no dispute about what happened or who was at fault, the claims adjuster may simply ask for an estimate of the cost of repairing the damage to your car. The insurance company will then issue you a check to cover this cost, based on the amount of coverage your policy allows. Basic cases like this are typically settled within a matter of weeks without legal assistance.
Seeking Legal Advice
Other auto accident claims are more complex, and the help of an experienced auto accident lawyer is needed. Examples of more difficult cases include accidents in which fault is questioned, one or more drivers sustained severe injuries, several vehicles were involved in the crash, or unusual circumstances were present at the time of the accident, such as road construction or extreme weather conditions.
In cases like these, the claims process may become more confusing and stressful for you as the claimant. The adjuster may ask you to sign complex authorization forms that are difficult to understand. You may be asked numerous, prying questions about your medical history as the insurer tries to minimize the true extent of your injuries.
When you hire a lawyer to represent you on your auto accident claim, he or she will handle any and all communications with the insurance adjusters. Your lawyer will take care of obtaining medical records, wage loss records and status reports on your treatment. They will also review the accident report and interview witnesses in an attempt to determine who is truly at fault. An experienced attorney will take the time to carefully evaluate your claim and ensure that your legal rights are protected during the investigation-so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
If you've been hurt in an auto accident, Call 1-888-562-5036 for a free evaluation of your case. If we determine that you have a valid legal claim, we'll work directly with the insurance companies as we pursue a swift and fair settlement on your behalf.
