Tips for Dealing with Insurance Companies After an Auto Accident
Though dealing with the aftermath of an auto accident is never a pleasant experience, if you are handling the claim yourself, you will need to work with both insurance companies in order to the compensation your injuries and damages deserve.
Generally speaking, within a few days of filing a claim with your automobile insurance company, you will be contacted by an insurance agent. If you do not hear from an agent who is assigned to your claim, you should reach back out to your insurance provider, as you do not want your claim to get swept under the rug and forgotten.
Before you take your car to the mechanic, make sure you have either spoken with an experienced auto accident attorney and/or your insurance provider about your intentions. While you may feel like you are in a hurry to get your car repaired, you will likely need to hold off getting any repairs done on your car until after an insurance representative appraises the damage.
Do not expect a great 'deal' from the insurance company, even if it is your own. After an adjuster provides an appraisal of the damages to your vehicle, the insurer will usually offer to pay whichever is less money: the cost it will take to repair the vehicle or the fair market value of your vehicle before the accident. If you have not already, now may be the time to bring in an accident attorney to ensure that your are receiving the compensation you deserve.
If your car has been totaled and it isn’t worth it to repair, your insurance company may want to recover the salvage value of your vehicle. This is where it sells the scrap parts to salvage companies. If the insurance company insists on selling your car for scraps, know that you are not required to give them the parts, though the company may try to deduct the scrap value from your settlement package.
Another step your insurance company might take is a subrogation action. Subrogation occurs when your insurance company attempts to recover the amounts it paid to you from a third party (e.g., the driver of the other vehicle who may be at fault for the accident). Many insurance policies require your cooperation in the company’s subrogation efforts.
At the end of the day, know that the right personal injury lawyer will be able to handle all of this and more on your behalf. If you are tired of dealing with uncooperative insurance adjusters after being injured in an accident that was not your fault, we want you to feel comfortable handing your claim over to our knowledgeable attorneys. With years of experience handling accident claims just like yours, we understand how to work with the insurers to get you the financial compensation your injuries deserve.
For more information on how to pursue a car accident claim against the driver who injured you, contact the accident attorneys at Ghozland Law Firm today.
