What Happens During an Automobile Accident Insurance Claim?

Automobile accident law can be complicated and tricky. Dealing with insurance companies is often frustrating and overwhelming. Before one tries to proceed with an automobile claim on their own, they must know what exactly happens during the process of settling a claim.

Filing an Insurance Claim Following an Auto Accident

The first thing you must do is to file a claim for your accident with an insurance company. As most car accidents involve several drivers, it can be difficult to figure out who is at fault, and which insurance company should be responsible for the claim. Notifying your own insurance company can be a step in the right direction, but if the accident report is complicated, or if the insurance companies are not handling the claim adequately, it might be time to consult a lawyer.

Investigating an Auto Accident Insurance Claim

After the claim has been filed, insurance claim adjusters will investigate your claim to assess their policyholder’s liability. If you hire an attorney, your attorney will investigate your accident as well, which helps to keep the insurance companies accountable and the law on your side. Claim investigation involves careful analysis of police reports, witness accounts, and photographs (of damages, the scene of an accident, etc.). If there is medical treatment involved, the insurance company will request medical records and billing statements from your medical providers. If you hire an attorney, the insurance company will have to go through your legal representative to access your private medical records, which can be very much in your favor if you have complicated medical status.