Understand the Insurance Company Claims Process.
The insurance claims process is not easy to understand. Therefore, it’s important to educate yourself, so that you don’t get taken advantage of by any insurance companies after your injury.
The first thing to know is that an insurance company is a for-profit business. They exist to make money. So, they will try their best to pay you as little as possible or deny your insurance claim. That’s just the nature of the beast.
Be prepared.
To fight back and win on your own, there are some things you should do before even contacting insurance carriers. First, make sure you get all your medical records and bills in order. Gather all the evidence you need to prove that you were injured, and how exactly it happened. Make copies of everything. If possible, get your accident scene photos, witness contact information, police report, etc., together quickly. You will definitely need this information later in the claims process.
Don’t give up your rights!
Insurance companies often try to get victims to sign a “release,” which is basically a statement that you will not take any future legal action against the at-fault party and absolve them of all liability. This is standard practice for insurance companies after an accident. They don’t want to pay a lot of compensation, and they certainly don’t want you to sue them. So, their goal is to get you to release your rights by offering a quick settlement.
But before signing any documents or accepting any payment from the insurance company, make sure the amount offered is reasonable and covers all your damages (including your pain and suffering). If it doesn’t, you should consider hiring a lawyer to help fight for the full amount that you deserve.
After all, insurance companies are dealing with claims everyday. They have teams of lawyers and adjusters on staff to help them deny claims or pay as little as possible. You do not have this kind of support. You are just an average person with a regular job, who was unlucky enough to get in an accident through no fault of your own.
You have rights! And you deserve compensation for your damages and injuries. So, fight back . Do not let the insurance company take advantage of you after your accident. You can do this on your own by knowing how to deal with the insurance company.
Procedure of Personal Injury Claims.
There are some general things that you should know about the personal injury insurance claims process. First, you have a limited amount of time (called the “statute of limitations”) to file your insurance claim with the insurance carrier or in civil court. This varies by state, but is typically two years. So don’t waste any time!
Insurance providers also deal with claims case-by-case, meaning each insurance claim or lawsuit can be different depending on the person involved and their injuries. However, some standard things happen in every personal injury case. First, after an accident, you can file a claim with the insurance company. This is typically done by calling or writing to them and completing some paperwork (or at least starting the paperwork).
Then, they will conduct their own investigation. They send out investigators who take pictures, talk to witnesses, etc., and try to figure out exactly what happened. Sometimes they talk to you. Sometimes they don’t. Sometimes you will have a chance to tell your version of the story. And sometimes you won’t.
Then, they make an “offer.” This is basically just a settlement amount that they are willing to pay based on the facts of the accident and your injuries. In some cases, you can negotiate with them and try to get a higher settlement. In most cases, you will either have to accept their initial offer or reject it and file a lawsuit in civil court.
When filing a lawsuit, there is generally an amount of time given by the state where you can return to the insurance company and ask for more money than what they initially offered (called “rescission” or “reconsideration”). This period typically lasts about a year.
At any point in the process, you can hire an attorney to help increase your odds of getting the most money possible (but remember that their fee will come out of what you eventually settle for). Your lawyer may also help negotiate with the insurance company and go to court for you if needed.
Finally, after all this is done (or sometimes even during the process), your insurance claims adjuster will have you sign a release. This is an important document, because it releases the insurance company from any further responsibility or liability for your claim. So, only sign a release if you fully agree with the terms and believe it is reasonable.
Insurance Lawyers Help Injured Parties Make an Insurance Claim for Compensation.
In today’s society, there are many issues with insurance companies. They will try to deny your claim if they can, or give you the minimum amount possible for your injuries. This is because insurance companies have teams of lawyers and other experts on staff who work everyday to find loopholes in the insurance claims process, so they don’t pay what they owe people. That’s why it’s important to have a personal injury insurance lawyer to help you make an insurance claim.
An insurance lawyer is usually a personal injury attorney with extensive knowledge of the law and how it pertains to making a successful insurance claim. They know how to fill out the forms and ensure everything is in order. Insurance lawyers regularly deal with insurance carriers. They know how to read and understand an insurance policy. They’ll know what your insurance carrier’s rules are, and they can help you get the most compensation possible.
Insurance lawyers know that insurers are supposed to act in good faith to protect policyholders, also called the insured. Often the insured is the person who caused your injury. However, this can also be the injured person in an uninsured motorist claim. After all, a person buys an insurance policy so that insurance benefits can be paid in the event of an accident involving injuries. An insurer protects the interest of the purchaser by paying out on a valid claim. Failure to do so can lead to insurance disputes between insurers and policyholders. Therefore, you can give yourself the best chance of success by showing the insurance carriers that paying your demands will protect the interests of its insured.
Insurance lawyers have experience with dealing with insurance companies during this difficult time in your life. When the insurance company denies your claim, disputes liability or coverage, or gives you low-ball settlement offers, an insurance lawyer can take your case to trial. However, most cases are settled without having to go through such an intense ordeal.
Since insurance companies have so many resources, it’s important to get legal help from an excellent lawyer when making an insurance claim. Injury attorneys usually provide a free consultation and do not change any upfront fees to get involved. As such, there is no cost to create an attorney client relationship that will help you get the most out of your case.
Take Legal Action Against the Insurance Company if Necessary.
If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation from the insurance company of the person or company at fault. However, insurance companies are notorious for trying to avoid paying out insurance claims, and often use their superior knowledge of the claims process to deny legitimate claims or wrongfully limit how much victims should get. This can leave victims feeling helpless and frustrated.
However, if you feel the insurance company is trying to take advantage of you, it may be necessary to take legal action against them. A qualified personal injury lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the insurance company and fight for the compensation you deserve.
