Do’s and Don’ts When Filing Accident Claims

If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, you’ll need to file a claim with your own auto insurance company. Unfortunately, insurance companies have a profit to make no matter how loyal their customers may be, and many do have an interest in delaying or even denying minor claims and complicating the process of earning compensation for individual claimants.
No matter how your insurance company acts or how the accident occurred, you are entitled to the benefits of your auto insurance. Here are a few common do’s and don’ts when filing a claim for an auto accident:

Do 

• Do contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. The faster your claim is filed, the easier and more convenient the process will be.
• Do carefully study your auto insurance policy to understand your coverage, potential reimbursements, and any instructions regarding how to file your claim.
• Do respond honestly to any and all information-related requests from your insurance company. Deliberately telling a lie of any kind to potentially increase the settlement incurs the risk of receiving no compensation at all.
• Do keep all paperwork organized and gather all necessary details of the accident, any injuries sustained, and the resulting claim to present to your insurance claims adjuster.
• Do keep any records of communication between you, the insurance company, and (if applicable) the other party involved in the accident. If you have paid for anything out-of-pocket while the company addresses the claim, be sure to keep all receipts.

Don’t
Regardless of how the accident occurred, avoid admitting to being at-fault or doing anything which could be misinterpreted as admitting fault, such as over-apologizing.

• Don’t divulge too much information to either police officers or insurance adjusters. Rather, stick to answering questions honestly using the shortest answers possible. Elaborating often gives adjusters or officers the opportunity to twist or distort things you have said, which may hurt your chances of earning compensation later.
• Don’t assume that a particular settlement-opportunity is the only one you will have. While are insurances companies are, to an extent, open to negotiations, they also rely heavily on most claimants’ lack of knowledge of the claims process and that they indeed have rights to reject and negotiate such settlements.
• Never go it alone when dealing with insurance adjusters. Get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your case is resolved and you earn your deserved compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact 844 See Mike, LLC for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.