Being involved in a car accident is stressful, and complicated insurance claims can make an already tricky situation extremely overwhelming. Insurance companies are known to minimize injuries and losses, pay a meager amount possible, or not pay any claims at all. So hiring a skilled car accident attorney is the only way to protect your rights, get the maximum compensation possible, and move forward with your life. Below are some main points about how filing an insurance claim works after a car accident, what to do and expect with your car accident claim.
Step 1: Prepare All the Information Needed For Your Car Accident Claim
After a car accident, you should gather all the information needed for your injury attorney and the insurance company.
You should include:
- Estimates of your car repairs
- The other party’s insurance policy & name of their insurance company
- Accident reports from the police
- Proof of your injuries caused by the accident
- Evidence of the medical treatment you received
- Witness statements and their complete contact information
- The other driver’s full contact information
- Photos & videos taken from the accident scene
Make copies of all the documents and keep everything well organized for your attorney.
Step 2: Pay Close Attention to Your Car Accident Claim
Read the insurance policy carefully. Don’t rely on the insurance agent or adjuster to inform you of what the policy does and does not cover. Take notes of what the insurance company or agent said. However, your attorney should speak with the adjusters on your behalf.
The information can include:
- The date
- What the conversation was about
- The name and title of the person you or your attorney spoke with
- Their phone number & extension
- The claim number
Keep the communication official and follow up with an email. Make sure to ask for a written explanation of what the insurance company is offering or not offering. Don’t share or post anything on social media about your car accident. Sharing anything on social media can work against you when filing a car accident claim.
Step 3: Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
Insurance companies make their money when the injured victim or policyholders don’t file their claims or collect on claims submitted under the policy. Some insurance companies deny claims because of an unspoken internal policy and will only investigate a car accident claim if legal action is taken.
If you are dealing with an insurance company that hasn’t answered or paid your claim, rejected, or offered you less for you less compensation for your car accident claim, don’t lose hope! A skilled and experienced car accident attorney can look at your case without you paying any upfront fees. At the Adley Law Firm, our attorneys work on a contingency fee, meaning that we only get paid if you get paid. So we only collect a fee if you win a fair amount of settlement or verdict. However, our fees won’t come out of your pocket.
If your car accident happened anywhere around Texas, fill out our online consultation form or call us at (713) 999-8669. Let our attorneys review your case and help you decide on the best course of action to move forward with your claim or lawsuit.
How Will the Adley Law Firm Help You Recover Financially After a Car Accident
First and foremost, your legal team will want to hear and know about what took place the day of the accident. Then your attorney will get in touch with the at-fault party or parties insurer to determine the status of your claim. Your attorney will determine whether there are grounds to investigate your case and possibly take legal action.
Your attorney will compare the insurance policy to determine what claims need to be filed. We are obtaining evidence to support a legal course of action during this step.
Then, your attorney will file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party or parties. This, however, does not mean that you have to go to court; you and your attorney will decide whether going to court is the best option for your case.
How Long do Insurance Companies Have to Respond to a Car Accident Claim?
In Texas, the law states that an insurance company must answer a filed claim within 15 days of being notified of the claim. Insurance companies must also investigate the claim; request information of a car accident claim, statements, forms, and other pieces of evidence, and let you know if your car accident claim is accepted or rejected within 15 days of receiving all the information. Sometimes, however, the insurance company can have 45 days to investigate the claim but must have a good reason to extend the time frame. If the insurance company rejects the claim, they must explain the reason for their decision.
Get Help From Our Attorney Today!
Don’t try and settle your car accident case alone. Get help from an aggressive and passionate car accident attorney to maximize your insurance compensation and fight for your rights to recover the settlement needed for your damages and injuries. We have years of experience fighting against insurance companies at the Adley Law Firm, and we won’t let them take advantage of you. Whether your collision happened in Houston or anywhere around Texas, call us at (713) 999-8669 or fill out our online consultation form.
We will fight until you get the compensation you deserve.
