If you get hurt in a car accident, report it to your insurance company. This will help with recovering compensation for any losses from the crash. It might not be your first thought after the accident, but it’s important.
You should report an accident to your insurance company even if it was not your fault. Your insurance policy may cover your property damage, medical expenses, and lost wages, depending on your coverage. Reviewing your insurance policy will show how your insurance company prefers collisions to be reported and claims to be filed.
How to File an Insurance Claim?
The process for reporting a car accident to your insurance company depends on the insurance company and sometimes your preference for communication. For example, most insurance companies allow an accident to be reported through their online portal. In contrast, other insurance companies require that a claim be filed over the phone with one of their representatives.
Once your insurance company is notified of the car crash, they will likely begin requesting information, such as:
- Time and place of the collision
- The circumstances surrounding the collision (who hit who and what parts of the vehicles collided)
- Information about other people involved (other drivers and the passengers of each vehicle involved)
- Any witnesses
- Any photos that were taken of the scene and the vehicles
- The police report
If the insurance company requests information about injuries sustained during the collision, it’s better to turn the conversation over to your car accident attorney. Let your attorney handle communications with the insurance company concerning injuries and compensation.
Read more: How to Request an Accident Report
How to File an Insurance Claim Against the Other Driver
If you were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You could contact the insurance company yourself to initiate a claim, but having your experienced personal injury attorney deal with the insurance company on your behalf will likely produce better results and compensation that is more in line with what you deserve.
How Long Do You Have to File an Insurance Claim?
There is no universal law on how soon an insurance claim can be filed. Instead, it depends on the individual insurance policy, so reviewing your insurance policy is important. Most insurance companies indicate that a claim should be filed within 30 – 180 days. Others just require a claim to be filed “soon.”
On the other hand, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years of the crash. As a result, an insurance claim should be filed as soon as possible after an accident. If the losses exceed the insurance limits or a personal injury lawsuit is necessary to recover compensation, you likely will not know until after the insurance claim is filed and discussed. Don’t wait to contact a car accident attorney. They will know how soon you should file a lawsuit in your case.
Read more: How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
How Long Does an Insurance Claim Take to Settle?
The amount of time for an insurance claim to settle will vary depending on the injuries and treatment required because of the collision. The more complex a claim, the longer it will take to settle. If the injuries are minor and a settlement is quickly agreed upon, settlement can occur within weeks. Other scenarios will take longer.
If the insurance company denies the claim, the injured party can file a lawsuit immediately. However, under Georgia law, if the insurance company or at-fault driver makes a settlement offer, the claimant must respond in 30 days.
Read more: How Long Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Take
Do I Need a Lawyer for an Insurance Claim?
You do not necessarily need an attorney to handle your insurance claim process, but having one can make your claim less stressful. Insurance adjusters are skilled negotiators whose goal is to save their company money. Having an experienced attorney handle communications and negotiations with the insurance company will be beneficial.
Should I Get a Lawyer for My Insurance Claim?
If you were injured in a collision, you should hire a personal injury attorney who specializes in car accidents because claims or lawsuits based on accidents involving injuries can be extremely complex and time-consuming. Your lawyer will know how to prove the other driver was at fault and establish a foundation for the value of your claim.
What Type of Lawyer Handles Insurance Claims?
Generally, the best type of attorney to hire for an insurance claim is a personal injury attorney because they have experience dealing with insurance adjusters and fighting for the compensation their clients deserve.
Read more: What Car Accident Lawyers Do
Contact our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you were involved in a car accident, regardless of fault, you would want to report the accident to your insurance company. Reporting a collision to your insurance is critical, especially if it results in substantial property damage or injuries.
Contact an Augusta car accident attorney from Chris Hudson Law Group to learn more about your legal options. Call us at (706) 863-6600 or contact us online for a free consultation.
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