After you are involved in an accident, you can file a claim to get compensated. There are a number of things you should do at the car accident site to protect your rights and improve your chances of getting compensated. You should inform your insurance company as soon as possible and start the claims processing. When you report the accident, the insurance company will assign an adjuster to deal with your claims. The adjuster may contact you through email or phone to discuss the accident.
The adjuster may investigate the accident to determine whether you had any role to play. If you are partly responsible for the accident, your settlement may not be as large as you expect. Whether or not you had a hand to play in the accident, it’s advisable to contact an accident attorney to help you. An experienced lawyer will gather evidence from different quarters to ensure the insurance company will provide the best compensation based on the circumstances of your case.
When the adjuster is satisfied with the information gathered about the accident, he or she will look at your policy to determine the limits that may affect your claim. The adjuster will also look at the type of coverage and deductibles that apply. He or she will then propose an amount that the insurance company should offer as compensation. The amount will usually vary depending on a number of things, including the severity of your injuries and degree of fault you had in the accident.
If the accident was not serious, the adjuster will simply consider the documented losses you may have incurred as a result of the accident and then send you a check. This means he or she will look at the cost of repairing your vehicle and any other losses you may have incurred, add them up and send you the check. On the other hand, if you were involved in a complicated accident, it might be challenging to come up with a reasonable settlement for your injuries. For instance, if you suffered broken bones or became disabled as a result of the accident, the insurance company may be hesitant to provide you the compensation that you rightly deserve. In such a case, it’s advisable to hire an accident lawyer to help you.
An experienced attorney will provide a proper estimate for your injuries and losses to ensure your financial burden is taken care of by the insurance company.