In the aftermath of an auto accident in the USA, you may need to submit a claim for reimbursement with either your insurance provider or the insurer representing the at-fault driver. It’s crucial to know what to anticipate from your insurance company’s claims adjuster and how the claim process generally works. After sustaining injuries in a vehicle accident, you should seek full financial compensation for those losses so that you may begin the healing process.
An insurance adjuster will investigate your case. Trusting the insurance adjuster can go wrong since they are working for the insurance company. It is best to hire a lawyer to deal with the insurance adjuster. When hiring car accident lawyers, you need to give them all the information about your accident since they can work better when they have all the information.
Meaning and Function of an Insurance Adjuster
When a person files a claim after an accident, the insurance company will send an adjuster to investigate the situation and decide how much of the claimant’s losses the insurance company is responsible for paying. An insurance adjuster’s next step after finding the company’s liability in the accident is to investigate the accident by speaking with you and any other parties involved, speaking with any witnesses, and procuring a copy of the police report. To assess the amount of your compensation, the insurance adjuster will also analyze your medical bills and costs. The insurance adjuster has to prevent losses for the firm; thus, they will attempt to settle with you for as little as possible.
Things to Expect from an Insurance Adjuster Following a Car Accident
In an automobile accident, it is essential to know the process the insurance adjuster will follow. Here are a few things you may anticipate to prepare yourself better.
Expect the Adjuster to Conduct an Interview
The first phase in the insurance adjuster’s investigation into the accident will be interviewing you. Be careful when hiring car accident lawyers to ensure you’re equipped with the information you need to deal with the problem. If you want to protect the value of your claim, you should consult an attorney before speaking with an insurance adjuster.
Proposal for a Claim Settlement
An insurance adjuster will look into the incidents and attempt to make you a settlement offer after they evaluate the company’s liability. It would be best if you do not accept the first settlement offer since it will be well below the actual amount of your claim. Having your automobile accident lawyer manage the negotiations will help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Signatory Requests
Following the accident investigation and settlement discussions, the insurance adjuster may attempt to have you sign certain paperwork. You should only sign documents related to your insurance claim once you have spoken with an attorney. Despite knowing they will have to give you more compensation, the adjuster will do anything to prevent the insurance company from paying for legal fees. To save money on your claim, you should have an attorney check any papers the adjuster presents for a signature.
Advice against Hiring an Attorney
When a claimant does not have legal representation, the insurance company has an easier time negotiating with them and getting them to accept a settlement. An insurance adjuster will likely tell you that hiring a lawyer will significantly reduce your settlement. However, this is not the case, as your lawyer will know the true worth of your claim and negotiate on your behalf for a standard legal fee.
