A car crash is a stressful and painful event in one’s life. Nothing could make it worse than the fact that you have to work with an insurance company after the fact to get the needed financial funding to make your life whole again. With insurance companies being among the least trusted industries in the U.S., it is not surprising that many consumers don’t want to work with insurance companies at all.
How insurance claims work can be a confusing process, and what information you need to collect at the scene of the accident can be even more confusing. This blog attempts to illuminate the general process regarding insurance claims.
What Information Do I Need to File an Insurance Claim?
When you file the claim, you need basic information about the accident, including who was involved, where the incident occurred, and a general description of what actually occurred that caused the accident. You will likely be asked to provide insurance and contact information for every person involved, so make sure to collect that at the scene of the accident. Always call 911, and make sure that everyone is okay or receiving medical attention first, however.
You may also wish to provide accident photos, and the ID numbers of any officers that responded to the scene. If a police officer is called to the scene, they will likely write an accident report, which details all the persons involved, as well as what vehicle they were driving, and who the officer deems to be at fault for the accident. The insurance company will likely want this accident report. To make sure this accident report exists, it is important to make sure the police show up, via a call to 911.
You may also be asked to provide your own estimate for the damages in your case. This is why it’s important to contact a reputable personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
How Long Do I Wait Before Filing an Insurance Claim After a Car Accident?
If you’re in a car accident and the other driver is at fault, you will likely file a claim with the at fault driver’s insurance company. In other cases, you will file a claim with your own insurance company for claims.
If you do file a claim with the at fault party’s insurance company, your own company must still be alerted to the issue. Also remember, that Florida is a no fault state, so your own insurance company must always pay your initial claims regardless of who is at fault.
Depending on your insurance company and the type of policy you have, you can have as little as 30 days or as long as three years to file an insurance claim. This is why it is important to act as soon as possible after a car accident.
What Happens After I File My Insurance Claim Post- Car Accident?
After you file your claim, the insurance company will likely send an insurance adjuster out to get to the bottom of what happened. They will take a look at the facts of the case, the damage done, and may attempt to speak to you during this investigation. This is why it is extremely important to have a reputable personal injury attorney working with you at this time, so that you can be guided in how to respond and fight for your rights in the face of these inquiries.
How Can a Lawyer Help With Insurance Claims?
You should be careful about filing claims or working with insurance adjusters, especially if they are not your insurance company.
The truth is, for better or worse, insurance adjusters work for their insurance company, and then can sometimes be biased towards the insurance company paying less when the facts are not clear. At the end of the day, the insurance company may not be against you, but remember, the company comes first, before you.
Having an attorney on your side means having an experienced advocate fighting solely for your rights, and for the best possible outcomes you can get. Insurance companies are experts at the law, and have employees working full time to understand these laws. Having an expert working full time with these types of cases is essential to making sure you get a quality outcome in your case.
On a more practical note, an experienced personal injury attorney will be an expert when it comes to filing claims with insurance companies, and will have worked with many insurance companies in the past. Having them to assist you will make the process easier, less stressful, and more successful.
If you are even in a car accident, make sure to utilize a personal injury attorney with years of experience working with insurance companies with regards to car crashes.
Bulluck Law Group has this experience and has spent years fighting for the rights of car accident victims, and getting them the financial support they need and deserve from their insurance companies. Contact us for a free consultation today.