How to File a Personal Injury Claim
May 12, 2022
Birth Injuries
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Accidents happen. Unfortunately, when they do, they usually come with a hefty price tag. This is where insurance comes in. Insurance is designed to help cover the costs of unexpected events, like car accidents, home damage, and medical emergencies. That being said, most people dread having to contact their insurance companies because they know the process of filing a claim can be long, complicated, and frustrating. And if you have been in a recent accident, the last thing you want to do is deal with additional paperwork and phone calls.
If you find yourself in the position of having to file an insurance claim, don't despair. With a little preparation and knowledge, the process can be much simpler than you think. In this article, we will walk you through the steps of filing an insurance claim. By the time you're done reading this, you will know exactly what to do and what to expect during the process. Here's what you need to do:
What is an Insurance Claim?
Don't feel too bad if you aren't quite sure what an insurance claim is. Many people don't know what it is until they have to file one. An insurance claim is a request for payment that is made to an insurance company. This request is usually made by the policyholder, and it is typically in response to some type of loss or damage that has occurred. For example, if you are in a car accident and your car needs to be repaired, you will most likely need to file an insurance claim with your auto insurance company.
1 - Contact your Insurance Company
If you have been in an accident, contact your car insurance company as soon as possible. You will be asked to share the following information:
- Your policy number
- The date and time of the accident
- A description of what happened
- The names, contact information, and insurance information for any other drivers involved in the accident
- The names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident
If you get confused or lost along the way, take notes!
2 - File a Police Report
Following an accident, the next thing you will want to do is file a police report as soon as possible. This will help create an official record of what happened, and it will also be helpful when you are filing your insurance claim. If you did not get a police report at the scene of the accident, you can go to your local police station and request one.
3 - Wait For an Adjuster
After you have filed your insurance claim, an adjuster will be assigned to your case. This person is responsible for investigating the accident and determining how much money you are owed from the insurance company. The adjuster will also decide if your case needs to be sent to a claims examiner or a lawyer.
4 - Get a Report
After the adjuster has had a chance to investigate your accident, you will receive a report that outlines their findings. This report will include information about who was at fault for the accident, as well as an estimate of how much money you are owed for damages. If you agree with the adjuster's assessment, you will simply need to sign the report and return it to the insurance company. If you do not agree with the adjuster's assessment, you can negotiate with the insurance company for a higher settlement amount.
5 - Receive Your Payment
Once you have reached an agreement with the insurance company, you will receive a check in the mail for the agreed-upon amount. It is important to note that insurance companies will typically only pay for damages that are considered to be "reasonable and necessary." This means that you may not receive the full amount of money that you are owed, but it is still important to get what you can.
For information about filing for a personal injury claim, read through this blog titled “How To File A Personal Injury Claim.”
Car Accident Attorney
We understand that filing an insurance claim can be stressful and daunting. We also understand that it is a lot to think about in the midst of everything else that is going on. Even after all of the effort of filing a claim, some insurance companies still won't give you the money that you are rightfully owed. This is where we come in.
At Carl Reynolds Law, our team of expert lawyers have years of experience dealing with insurance companies. We prepare every case for trial and are not intimidated when insurance companies fail to make reasonable offers. At Carl Reynolds Law, we are the injury lawyers that fight for you! If you have any questions or concerns about your recent accident and insurance claim, contact us for a free consultation.
