The claim process should begin as soon as the collision has taken place.
These actions by the involved driver function as part of claims process.
The photographing of any damage, and of significant aspects of the accident’s location: That would include things like traffic lights, any potholes or trenches, any markings for bike lanes or lanes on the street, and any street signs.
The exchange of contact information: The involved drivers should complete that task.
Placement of a call to the police and make arrangements made for victim to obtain immediate medical attention: That ensures documentation of the victim’s injuries
Important parts of the same process must be completed later, when the injured victim has arrived home.
Driver should contact his or her insurance agency. That insurance company would then arrange for an assessment of damage to the driver’s vehicle. The driver must also report the accident to the defendant’s insurance company. Often the insurance company asks the caller/claimant to make a recorded statement. Smart claimants make it clear that no such statement can be made until a time with the claimant’s lawyer can be present. At this point, the driver reaches out to a personal injury lawyer in Highland.
The lawyer’s function
• Helps the victim with composition of the demand letter
• Arranges to be present during the making of a recorded statement
• Serves as the victim’s representative during negotiations
• Able to offer guidance as the defendant’s team comes forward with it offers; might suggest an appropriate counteroffer, or the method for responding to an especially low offer.
• Urges client to wait on reaching any settlement until the doctor has said that all injured parties have arrived at the point of maximum medical improvement.
• After settlement, receives release form, studies same form, and arranges for client to sign it.
• Sends signed release back to the insurance company.
Places where there could be a delay in the process
An assessment of the policyholder’s car might cause the insurance company to question the claim that the other driver had caused the accident. If that were the case, and if the same policyholder had reported a series of similar accidents, then the insurance company might deny the claim.
If the demand letter from the claimant did not provide sufficient information on the reported injuries, then the insurance adjuster might insist on presentation of more evidence, before agreeing to come forward with any initial bid.
If the adjuster were to make a low-ball bid, then the claimant might ask for an explanation, regarding the small size of the proposed compensation. Smart claimants would take notes, while speaking with the adjuster. Then the same claimant might decide on a new demand, one that would go at the end of a letter.