After an injury accident, an insurance claim needs to be filed to ensure that the injured person receives compensation for medical expenses, lost work and wages, damaged property, and pain and suffering caused by the accident. Here is valuable information about the insurance claim process.
When an accident happens, regardless of who is at fault, all parties should contact their insurance companies immediately. The insurance adjusters will acquire information about the cause of the accident and the extent of injuries and property damage.
The insurance companies will then open an investigation. Those involved in the accident will be interviewed and asked to provide any accident-scene photos, names of witnesses, and any other information that has been collected.
Anyone injured in the crash will likely be asked to undergo an independent medical examination by a physician of the insurer’s choice to document the cause and extent of any injuries.
The insurance adjuster will calculate the value of the claim, and will issue a settlement check. If the insurance claim is denied, or if the insured feels that the settlement amount is too low, the insured can appeal to the insurance company.
While it is relatively easy to determine the cost of medical expenses and lost income, it's much more challenging to place a realistic dollar amount on the pain and suffering a person deals with after being injured. Insurance companies have developed damages formulas to calculate how much to pay the injured for these types of non-monetary damages.
There are many reasons why a claim may be denied:
If the claim is denied, the insured will receive notification from the insurance company. The insured then has the option to appeal the denial of claim. Appeals procedures vary from company to company, so it is important to review the policy in learn about the appropriate next steps.
After having a claim denied or receiving a settlement offer that is too low, many people seek the help of a personal injury attorney who has experience in interpreting insurance policies and dealing with insurance adjusters to obtain the highest settlement possible. Many other people choose to find an experienced injury lawyer soon after an accident, so that the attorney can handle the insurance claim from the start and allow an injured person to focus on healing.
Accident victims have a wide range of reactions after a crash, and as a personal injury lawyer here in Bellingham, WA, I have seen them all. While one might expect that someone would seek medical attention soon after a collision, that's not always the case. I created this video linked through this article on what all accident victims should do after an auto accident.
Auto accidents - no matter how minor - are shocking, scary events to all involved. First and foremost, the top priority is to get the injured medical care ASAP, as those first few moments are critical to recovery, and sometimes, survival. However, accident victims have other things to consider too. This article is intended to be shared with friends and loved ones before an accident happens, to keep in mind some things to do in the event of an accident that can help in going through the insurance claims process or even building a tort case. Click for information on the importance of collecting physical evidence after a car crash and other tips.
Car crashes are complicated events that happen in the blink of an eye. Many factors can contribute to the series of missteps that make vehicles collide, and many people will look at those factors and have a completely different take on who was at fault. In cases that aren't cut and dried, fault can be disputed. If you've been in an accident where fault is disputed, this article has four tips on what you can do to build a best case scenario for yourself.
Deaths that occur needlessly due to someone else's negligence are very complex situations. Along with all the emotions that a survivor must sort through, the loss brings up financial questions and concerns. How to pay for funeral costs? And if the deceased was a financial provider, how will their income be replaced? Here's the one thing you should do as soon as possible. Click this link to watch a short video to answer the most frequently asked question of survivors of fatal accidents.
If you have been injured in a car accident that wasn't your fault, it can help to hear that you're not alone. That you do have options, and there are ways to recover some of what you lost financially. It takes money to be able to recover from serious injuries including bone fractures, like this car accident victim hit by a distracted driver. Sometimes your best option is to seek legal expertise to make sure you receive a fair settlement for your damages and losses. Here is one client's story.
Don suffered disc injuries to his low back in an accident where the at-fault driver pulled into traffic and struck the side of Don’s classic 1955 Ford T-Bird. Don’s injuries were severe enough that he could not return to his physically demanding work as a paramedic. Although Don was close to retirement, he was counting on a few more good work years. Here is one accident victim's story of how a good personal injury attorney helped him find money for lost wages, despite the fact that the at-fault driver did not have car insurance.
A common type of injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident is damage to the spine or pelvis. When someone is blindsided because a negligent driver "came out of nowhere" and hit them, there can be life-changing consequences. In this accident victim's story that happened in Bellingham, WA, the at-fault driver caused damage so severe that the victim was not able to return to his job after the accident - ever again. It was critical that he find money to pay for lost wages and damages he received because of the accident. Insult to injury, the motorist who hit him was uninsured.
A driver and passenger have an unspoken agreement every time they get in a vehicle together - that they both have a responsibility to each other to make the drive as safe as possible. Yet it's ultimately the responsibility of the driver to maintain the well-being of all passengers in the car. Behaviors that go against safety - drunk and drugged driving, and distracted driving are two big examples - endanger everyone in the car and around it. These are other factors will have a dramatic impact on determining liability after an accident. Click to learn more from this Bellingham, WA accident lawyer about how negligence and liability are factored in to accident injury claims.
Many accident victims are nervous about their first contact with the insurance company’s adjuster, and justifiably so. Assuming anyone who was recently in a car wreck is dealing with injuries and emotional stress that come from a traumatizing event, it’s hard to think clearly through a claim negotiation. Here are some tips for that first contact with the insurance adjuster to help you advocate for yourself or a loved one and set the stage for financial recovery instead of further anxiety and financial stress.
Many accident victims are nervous about their first contact with the insurance company’s adjuster, and justifiably so. Assuming anyone who was recently in a car wreck is dealing with injuries and emotional stress that come from a traumatizing event, it’s hard to think clearly through a claim negotiation. Here are some tips for that first contact with the insurance adjuster to help you advocate for yourself or a loved one and set the stage for financial recovery instead of further anxiety and financial stress.
A hit and run accident that happens to a bicycle rider is unconscionable. In most accidents between a car and a bike, the bicyclist is the one with the far greater injuries. On a bicycle, you are much more vulnerable to impact than in a car, even at relatively low speeds. If the driver takes off, added to the pain of the injuries is the frustration and anger at that terrible response. Even if the driver who hit you while you were on bicycle is never found, you have options for recovery. Click to learn what they are.
There are a few categories in which accident victims are awarded compensation after an accident:
For more information, please see this video on how accident victims are compensated after a collision with an at-fault or partially at-fault driver.
Speed limits are not just recommendations, but established rules that all drivers are expected to follow while operating their vehicles on US roads. Many factors are considered by the engineers who set the limits, such as the road’s characteristics; how wide the shoulder might be, if there is one at all; road grade; and the length of a driver’s line of sight. The limits are set very carefully after an assessment of all these factors, and are meant to keep everyone safe while maintaining a healthy flow of traffic as much as possible. Speeding is against the law. However, some drivers speed, and if you are hit by a speeder, you might be facing a long, arduous recovery. If you're wondering if help is available, click the link to learn more.
It may seem daunting if a claim progresses to a lawsuit. A skilled personal injury attorney settles nearly every client’s personal injury claim in a negotiated settlement. This means that very rarely do his clients need to go to trial with a lawsuit. However, if your claim doesn’t have the resolution you wanted, you still have the option to file suit. Your lawyer will step you through the process, explaining things as you go. But here is the gist of what to expect during a lawsuit.
We take to the roads throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County trusting that other drivers will have insurance. But that’s not always the case. You can well imagine the protocol as it’s supposed to happen after an accident: get medical attention for any injuries, file a police report, and exchange insurance information with other motorists involved. What happens if that last step can’t be followed because the driver has no insurance, or a policy that simply doesn’t cover all of the damages that occurred? So quickly, an already a stressful time just became even more worrisome. Click to learn more on what to do if the driver who hits you has no insurance.
There is a bias out there about motorcyclists, and some unfortunately do ignore speed limits or safety requirements, much like any driver. So if you are involved in a single motorcycle crash, does this automatically mean you are the only one at fault? There are certain considerations that may apply, and there could be more to your accident than is obvious. To learn more about what to do after you were involved in a single motorcycle crash, click here.
