Everyone knows how demoralizing insurance companies can be in personal injury cases and how they sometimes try to give people less than they deserve. But do you have any idea how this process works and what is the role of insurance companies in personal injury cases? In such cases, it makes the most sense to have a lawyer who has worked with insurance companies before because they know all the strategies and tactics of the insurance company and can develop counter-strategies and make sure that their clients receive the full compensation they should.
First Thing to Do: Report the Accident
In case of any personal injury accident, the primary action for victims is to call emergency services — even if no visible injuries are present, as it still warrants evaluation. The subsequent step involves informing both the insurance company and law enforcement about the incident. The insurance policy specifies a deadline for transmitting this notification; failure to do so may result in issues with insurance coverage. On the flip side, prompt reporting allows insurance agencies to expedite their investigation process, which in turn facilitates a quicker resolution. Details such as involved parties, witnesses present at the scene, and both material and moral damages must be included in these reports— each actuating factor considered by the insurer while arriving at a decision. In this type of scenario, it becomes crucial to partner with top-notch legal representation from an Edwardsville personal injury attorney since individuals may lack the cognitive capacity to grapple with the aftermath of an accident, and attorneys relieve their clientele of this load.
Review of the Insurance Company
Once the insurance company has started examining the details of the accident, it takes some time to determine who is at fault. There are many different factors that go into these assessments, including the details contained in the insurance policies. But it is not limited to these. They also include other details, such as where and how the accident happened.
Request of Compensation
Following these investigations, the victim’s attorney files a claim petition with those insurance firms seeking recompense for post-accident expenditures. The petition typically encompasses details like the amount spent on repairs of the damaged goods (if there are any) and bills for medical procedures— including but not limited to, moral compensations. In addition to claims, necessary documents must be presented as well. These papers include the accident report, medical records or testimonies from witnesses: all pivotal in supporting the case. It is important that when a claim is filed, it has all the necessary evidence that will enable it to make valid decisions on behalf of their clients after scrutiny by different departments within an insurance company.
Negotiation
The insurance company notifies the client whether they are granting or rejecting the compensation after receiving and reviewing the request for compensation. If the client is satisfied with the compensation, a settlement is reached, however, if the client is not happy with the outcome, the lawyer continues to negotiate the compensation. Understanding the core functions of these insurance companies is a key element when negotiating.
