How Do Insurance Companies Investigate Cars Involved In Accidents?

How Do Insurance Companies Investigate Cars Involved In Accidents?

Getting into a car accident can be a very traumatizing and stressful experience. The aftermath that follows a car crash, including the insurance claim process, can be almost as unpleasant as the accident itself.

Car accidents are, unfortunately, a common occurrence in Port St. Lucie. If you’ve ever been in an accident yourself, you might be familiar with the process. But if you’re one of the lucky few who have never been in an accident, you might not know about the process of filing a claim with your insurance company and what the investigation will be like.

This post will guide you through the process to help you understand how insurance companies investigate cars involved in accidents and how working with experienced Port St. Lucie car accident lawyers can help.

No-Fault State Car Insurance Requirements

Each state has its own set of laws governing various accidents. Florida’s regulations regarding motor accidents are different from most states. Florida is a no-fault state. It means that the motorists involved in accidents in the state will share responsibility with the other party, regardless of who was at fault. If you’re involved in a car accident in Port St. Lucie, you have to turn to your insurer to seek financial help by filing a claim.

Due to the no-fault rule, each Florida resident is required to have a no-fault insurance policy that offers at least $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability. The personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is responsible for covering any of your medical expenses or lost wages due to injury because of the accident. The property damage liability is there to assist you with recovering your losses due to the property damage in the accident.

When you file your claim with the insurance company, it will send representatives who will investigate the damage to your car and your medical records to determine how much the compensatory payout will be.

The Process To Investigate Your Insurance Claim After A Florida Car Accident

The no-fault law in Florida is designed with the purpose of reducing the number of civil lawsuits filed by drivers involved in accidents by mandating turning to your own insurer as the first option if you’re in an accident. If the accident is very bad and led to serious damage or severe injuries, Florida residents can file a third-party claim to seek a compensatory payout for the damages from the at-fault party.

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Hopefully, you won’t have to find yourself in a situation where you have to go through another route to get the compensation you deserve.

Now, the insurance investigations might be far more thorough than you might expect. No insurance company is keen on rewarding every claimant with massive payouts. You can expect your insurer to look for every possible avenue to not pay you money or minimize the payout. It means that they will do their best to look for any information that they can to disregard your claim.

The investigation process takes a long time, lasting anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the accident. The insurance adjuster completes the process and looks at a few things during the investigation, including:

An Interview With You

The insurance company representative will record a statement from you regarding the incident to hear your recollection. Ideally, you should have a legal representative by your side to ensure that your story is consistent and that there’s no chance of the investigator tricking you into making a statement that weakens your claim.

The Damage And Accident Site Itself

The insurance company representative will visit the site where the accident occurred to get a better perspective on the accident’s severity. They might closely examine the vehicle for damages and collect evidence that can help them determine whether your claim is legitimate. The adjuster will use the evidence to calculate the amount to be paid as compensation if your claim is valid.

A Background Check

The process can get quite intrusive, as the insurance adjuster will conduct a background check on you during the investigation process. You can expect them to go through your social media presence and phone records to determine where you were when the accident happened because it can also determine how much you can receive in the settlement. The background check can also show if you’ve made claims before this incident, potentially impacting the compensation you can receive.

Your Medical Records

The investigator will also review your medical records to examine the injuries you suffered in the accident. The severity of your injuries and the medical treatment required for them will also inform their decision to determine the legitimacy of your claim and the amount you could receive. Insurers do their best to find anything that can help them discredit the cost of your medical bills from the claim, and they can use it against you.

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Why Working With An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Will Help

Insurance company representatives might make it appear as though they are acting in your best interests, but do not be fooled by them. They are expert negotiators and do not shy away from using manipulative tactics to discredit your claim if they can. Suppose you do not have a legal expert by your side. In that case, the chances are that they will be successful in depriving you of your rightful compensation by luring you into making mistakes, especially during your interview.

Experienced Port St. Lucie car accident lawyers are experts on the law, and they know how to negotiate on your behalf and can make a solid stand to protect your legal rights after a car accident. Working with them means that your attorney will become the point of contact for you when dealing with insurers. They will be the ones who can secure a higher settlement by negotiating with the insurance adjusters and give you the best advice when determining whether the offered settlement is acceptable or if you should argue for a higher amount.

Unlike insurance company representatives, the right lawyer will actually be on your side and fight to protect your rights to ensure the best possible outcome from your insurance claim.

If you ever find yourself in an accident, consider contacting an  Injury Lawyer before you talk to your insurance company. The firm boasts legal professionals who are experienced in dealing with car accident claims and ensuring the best outcome for their clients. You deserve to be fairly compensated for the losses you’ve incurred in the traumatizing incident.