You may not be one of the 38,800 people the National Safety Council estimates died in a car accident in 2019, but you may still have suffered in a collision. Serious car accident injuries may have made it difficult for you to get back to work and your normal routine.
Filing an insurance claim following a car accident can help you recoup some of the costs associated with the accident for your medical bills and fixing your vehicle. To ensure you receive proper compensation for these damages, it is important that you understand how the claims process works for car accidents.
Your role after the collision
As soon as you can after you get into a car accident, you need to call your insurance company and start the claims process. When you call, make sure you have the following information:
- Where the accident happened and the date and time it occurred
- Your account of how the accident happened
- Your car insurance policy number
- The contact info of the opposing driver and his or her insurance information
- The police report number from the accident and the name of that police department
After this initial phone call, make sure you save receipts from any medical appointments or any car repairs related to the accident.
The role of the claims adjuster
After you file a claim with your insurance company, a claims adjuster will investigate the case. This will involve a number of different tasks, such as reviewing the police report, going to the scene of the accident, interviewing witnesses and the other driver involved, inspecting your car and looking at your medical records (with your permission). The claims adjuster may also review any proof of wage loss you submit.
The adjuster is responsible for determining whether you or the other driver is at fault for the collision. Once the adjuster makes a decision, he or she will coordinate with the opposing insurer to determine how much you will receive in compensation.