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How to handle insurance claims after an accident

If you’ve never been in an accident before, you should consider yourself fortunate. Those who have been can likely attest to how difficult it can be to deal with the aftermath, even if they haven’t been seriously injured.

Some of the difficulties encountered after an accident is with getting the proper medical care or dealing with lost wages. It’s dealing with the insurances companies — both the other driver’s and yours. Here are some tips to help as you seek assistance from the insurance companies.

— Don’t wait to report the accident. Most insurance companies require your claim to be filed within 24 hours. This includes contacting the other party’s insurance company, too.

— If you are injured, get medical attention. Don’t wait, as your injuries could be worse than you originally thought.

— Take photos of the accident scene or ask someone else to do so. Gather witness information. The insurance claim adjuster will need this information.

— Don’t sign any paperwork from the insurance company unless you know exactly what you are signing. Your insurance company or the other insurance company may want you to agree to a settlement offer that seems low. It’s their business to try to get as many people to settle instead of going to court. You may need the assistance of a personal injury attorney to deal with any paperwork the insurance companies require.

— File an appeal when necessary instead of simply accepting a denial. Again, this is where an attorney can be so useful.

As you can see, there is a lot that goes into filing a claim for an accident. If you were not at fault for the accident, you may have to seek compensation through a civil action against the at-fault party. The Law Offices of John J. LaCava LLC can provide answers to your questions about such civil actions, as well as evaluating a settlement offer from your insurance company. To learn more, simply visit our car accident webpage today.

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