What Role Does an Insurance Company Play in a Personal Injury?

When you are involved in an accident that injures you, whether from a car accident or a slip and fall, that occurs on someone else's property, your first step in filing a claim for your injuries always begins with an insurance company. insurance. It is common for a company to contact you quickly after the accident in which they were involved. If you do not hear from the insurance company immediately, you should contact the person who caused your injuries, and / or the appropriate insurance company, to let them know that you are proceeding to make a claim for your injuries.

Initially, the insurance company is represented by a claims adjuster, or a person who is responsible for processing and handling your claim. However, you should always remember that the claims adjuster does not represent your interests, but those of the insurance company. In other words, the claims adjuster's goal is to keep costs as low as possible for the insurance company, while yours is to obtain the best possible settlement for your claim.

You should also remember not to give detailed information to the claims adjuster about the accident or your injuries. Providing these details to them may adversely affect your chances of obtaining a resolution of your claim. For example, if you tell the adjuster a detail that incriminates you in a fault that caused the accident, then the insurance company will not want to resolve your claim in any way.

That said, there is no reason not to speak to the adjuster, particularly if you have only suffered minor injuries and / or damage. Typically, the claims adjuster will want copies of any medical bills related to your injuries, as well as estimates about the repairs to your vehicle, in the event of a car accident.

At some point, the adjuster may offer you a settlement. Once you accept the offer in writing, you must also sign a legal document releasing the person who caused your injuries, as well as that person's insurance company, from any subsequent claims related to your accident. This means that once you have settled your claim, you cannot return later and claim more medical expenses or damages arising from the accident. Consequently, if you think that you will have future medical expenses as a result of the accident, then you should probably wait before settling your claim.

You should carefully consider any settlement offer, taking into account all the injuries you have suffered, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and suffering resulting from your accident. Each insurance company has a basic formula that it uses to assign a value to each claim. Also, keep in mind that if your own insurance company paid all or part of your medical bills, then that company will require you to reimburse you for those costs based on the arrangement you reach with the other party's insurance company. As a consequence, you need to think about your claim in terms of the total amount of damages you have suffered, and come up with financial compensation that you can live with. Hopefully,

Talk to a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney Today

This article is intended to be helpful and informative, but legal matters can be complicated and stressful. A qualified personal injury attorney can address your particular legal needs, explain the law, and represent you in court. Take the first step now and contact a local personal injury attorney to discuss your unique legal situation.