Filing insurance paperwork and negotiating with insurance agents can be daunting, especially when you are up against some of the biggest insurance providers in the United States. You can easily simplify the auto insurance claim process.
There are various things you should keep in mind before filing a claim in the aftermath of a car accident. Many applicants are unaware of the procedures involved, and insurance companies often take advantage of that ignorance.
Insurance agents often put their efforts into reducing the settlement to which victims amount to less than the victim actually deserves. Thus, many injured people find themselves struggling to get sufficient compensation for their injuries.
Here, we will tell you what you should do after a car accident and the general procedure for filing a claim with an insurance company.
What should you do after a car accident?
The most important thing to do after an accident is to seek immediate medical attention. Any delay in getting medical attention can negatively affect your claim, as well as your physical health, and the insurance company may try to use that delay to deny your claim.
Therefore, it is critical to get yourself evaluated by a medical professional and to receive proper treatment for your injuries.
- After the car accident, you should immediately call 911 and get an official accident report from local law enforcement.
- Seek immediate medical treatment for injuries that you or anyone else in the accident suffered. If there is any doubt concerning someone’s condition, you should immediately visit the hospital to determine whether anyone is severely hurt. If your loved one is severely injured, you may be able to ride from the scene of the accident in an ambulance.
- Take photos and videos of the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries as evidence to support your claim.
- Write down any details you can about the negligent driver. In the event that you want to file a lawsuit or a third-party claim, this information can be helpful to your attorney.
- Get in touch with eyewitnesses and note down their details.
How can you file an insurance claim?
After the accident has been reported, you can leave the accident site. Here are the steps that you should follow to file a claim:
- File a claim online: In most cases, you do not have to visit the car insurance company’s office to file a claim. Website and mobile app claim filing removes the necessity for a visit to a brick-and-mortar location or even calling the insurance company on the phone.
Online claims are available around the clock, and you can file a claim online at any time and from anywhere. It should not take more than ten minutes of your time to file and initiate your claim.
- Gather all of the documents you need: The insurance company will ask for certain documents that will help the agents understand the facts of the accident. You may even be able to send photos and other details directly through an app.
When filing the claim, ensure that you have photographs, information about the other vehicles involved, and all other necessary details.
A representative will ask you to submit different documents and then validate them. The benefit of filing a claim online is that it allows you to more easily track its progress.
- Claim number and adjuster: After completing the steps above, the insurance company should provide a claim number. Additionally, it may assign a particular claims adjuster to you who can provide updated information. This person will be your point of contact until your claim is complete.
The insurance company may pay for vehicle damages when the other driver is at fault and may even provide you with a rental car for a specific duration. However, insurance company agents may try to reduce or even deny your claim.
They can even raise a dispute if your accident occurred in a no-fault state. You should consider consulting with a legal professional who can assist you throughout the procedure. A lawyer can help you understand the nuances of the claims process and negotiate with the insurance claims adjusters on your behalf. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.
