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The Essential Steps Required in Filing a Car Insurance Claim

If you have been injured in a car accident that was the result of another person’s negligence or recklessness, then you likely need to seek compensation from the insurance company of the at-fault party. However, in some cases you may need to get compensation from your own car insurance company, such as if you were in a hit and run accident or you need recovery through your own Personal Injury Protection.

Whatever the situation is, at The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we can help you recover damages. That may involve filing a car insurance claim with your own insurance company. Read on for advice on how to do that and then contact us at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.

Calling the insurance company and providing a statement

You will need to notify the insurance company of the accident and you will either immediately give a statement or will hear back from an insurance claims representative who wants a statement. They are likely going to want to record this statement and they will ask questions about the details of the accident and injuries.

They are going to ask questions regarding:

  • Date and location of the accident
  • How the accident occurred
  • Information about injuries and medical costs
  • Information on other expenses caused by the accident such as lost wages

In most cases, they are not going to simply take your word for many of the facts you give them. For example, they will most likely want you to provide proof of injuries and their costs.

The facts of deciding who was at fault

Once the insurance company has a statement from you and has had time to evaluate the evidence, they are going to decide who is at fault. If they find the other party at fault then they are likely going to offer you a settlement. You can decide if the settlement offer is reasonable or not. if you do not believe it is, then you can negotiate for a better offer or take them to court.

Do not take any of the above steps without talking to an attorney

At face value, the steps necessary may seem simple enough that you can handle it on your own. This is unfortunately not the case. First, do not give a statement – especially a recorded statement – without first talking to a personal injury attorney. Any difference between what you say today and what you say in the future could be used as evidence that you are not being honest about your injuries – no matter how minor that inconsistency may be.

Second, you do not want to accept any settlement offer without first talking to an experienced attorney. The insurance company’s top goal is to make money for their shareholders. As a result, they are likely to want to pay you as little as possible. We can better determine the value of your case, use our expert negotiators, and take the case to court for a fair recovery if necessary. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now for a free legal consultation.