The days following a car accident can be a confusing time. You have to deal with a damaged vehicle, paperwork, phone calls and, depending on the seriousness of the accident, you may be recovering from injuries as well.
Particularly if this is your first car accident, you may be unsure of how a car accident insurance claim works. The car insurance claims process is actually much more simple than it may initially seem. In fact, the whole process can be broken down into three basic steps:
- Submitting your car insurance claim: After you’ve been in a car accident, you should let your insurance company know as soon as possible, regardless of who was at fault. Submitting your car insurance claim starts with a phone call to your insurance company. You’ll then be asked to fill out a claims report where you’ll recount the details of the accident, such as how it happened and the contact information for the other drivers involved. You’ll be assigned a claim number, and an insurance adjuster will be appointed to investigate your case.
- Investigating the claim: The insurance adjuster’s job is to verify how the accident occurred and who was at fault. They will also evaluate the damage to your vehicle so that a settlement offer can be made.
- Paying out on the claim: Last, your insurance company will pay you the amount of money that represents how much it will cost to repair your car. If the insurance company decides to declare your car “totaled,” the amount paid will represent the value of your car before the accident occurred.
Difficulties, however, can arise during the car insurance claims process. For example, the insurance company may say that you were at fault when you believe the other driver caused the accident. Or, they may try to offer you a settlement that’s lower than what you deserve.
That is why an auto accident attorney is a valuable resource throughout the car insurance claims process. An auto accident attorney can relieve you of the burden of dealing with the insurance company and the adjuster. And an attorney will make sure that you receive a fair settlement.
If you have been involved in a car accident, contact Fears | Nachawati today for free legal advice about the car insurance claims process. To speak with one of our attorneys, email us at info@fnlawfirm.com or call us on our toll-free helpline at 1.866.705.7584.