Any car accident can be a very overwhelming experience. Dealing with vehicle repairs, hospital bills, and insurance companies at these times may add triple-fold to this stress. Probably one of the most important steps in the relief process is understanding how an insurance claim works and any need for an auto lawyer.
Understanding Insurance Claims
An insurance claim refers to a formal request by the holder to an insurance company regarding coverage or compensation for loss or occurrence of some events that are set out in the policy. Therefore, motor insurance claims are those resulting from accidents, theft, and natural disasters such as storms. The insurance company reviews this claim for validity and pays the insured or a claiming party on his behalf upon approval.
How to File an Auto Insurance Claim
- What to Do at the Scene: Check that everyone is safe and medical assistance has been summoned if needed. Also, contact the authority of the police about the occurrence of the incident. Click pictures of the scene of the accident; get the details of all those concerned with the accident.
- Inform the Insurance Company: You need to contact your insurance company and convey to them all the details, including the police report number and any photographs, regarding the accident, and details of the other driver(s).
- Assignment to Claims Adjuster: The insurance carrier is going to send a claims adjuster who is under oath to evaluate your claim. He will inspect the damage in your vehicle and check the price of repairing it.
- Settlement: By the time the adjuster is through with the evaluation, your insurance company would have given you an amount as settlement based on your policy terms and coverage. You could have agreed to the amount; hence, the insurance company will proceed to pay you.
When To Hire an Auto Accident Attorney
Although the above procedures sound quite straightforward, disputes, complications are only some of the incidents that can happen while making a claim. This is where an auto accident attorney can help in the process:
- Denial of Claim: Either because of certain exclusions in the policy or by retaining some piece of information against which the claimant has allegedly failed to disclose any critical fact, the insurance company denies claims. Here also, an auto attorney can help file an appeal against the denial and thus negotiate with the insurance company.
- Underpayment: Whenever the amount of compensation an insurance company can offer is low for damage or expenses, at that time the automobile attorney shall be there to raise your voice for a decent price.
- Disputed Liability: Quite a good number of accidents are disputed—that is, the parties to the accident don’t agree on whom to be held liable. An auto attorney can, therefore, investigate the scene, then gather evidence, interview eyewitnesses, and reconstruct the accident to prove fault.
- Major Injuries: Major injuries give rise to complex claims, relating to medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care. The auto attorney will ensure that your claim addresses all the issues.
Finding Right Auto Attorney
Such is the choice of a qualified auto attorney that would nail your case. The following are some of the things to consider:
- Experience: Think of a lawyer whose experience is majorly in auto accident cases, besides an inclusive record of successful settlements.
- Specialization: Not just a generalist; go for one who is specialized in causing personal injuries and in auto accident cases, too.
- Reputation: Knowing how rated the lawyer is through online reviews, testimonials, or referrals from people you trust will come in handy.
- Communication: Your lawyer should listen to you clearly and keep you updated at every step of the process.