After any car accident, regardless of how serious the damage and injuries, an insurance claim is typically launched.

Here is an overview of the process and valuable information on insurance claims and settlements.

An insurance adjuster’s job is to:

• collect all information to understand the value of the insurance claim;
• set reserves to ensure that the insurance company has set aside enough money to pay the value of the claim;
• evaluate damages to the injured party;
• negotiate a settlement;
• defend the claim at trial if a settlement agreement isn’t reached.

Minor accidents with few injuries can often be handled directly with the insurance adjuster. For major accidents and injuries, most people choose to hire a personal injury attorney who oversees the insurance claim and settlement process by:

• helping make sure that medical bills are documented, and working with medical providers to get bills paid;
• assessing and documenting the estimated cost of future medical bills for long-term medical treatment of injuries;
• communicating with insurance adjusters to document current and future lost wages;
• getting compensation for pain, suffering, and disability caused by the collision;
• managing the vast amount of paperwork related to a personal injury claim;
• negotiating with the insurance adjuster to obtain a settlement for the full value of the claim, or take the claim to trial.

While no amount of money can erase the pain and trauma of a serious accident, a personal injury attorney can help by reducing the financial difficulty faced by accident victims. That is the attorney’s job.

For more information on the insurance claim process, go to the Washington State Insurance Commissioner site.

For serious or fatal accidents in Yakima or anywhere in Central Washington, contact an experienced injury lawyer. The process to effectively manage a major insurance claim is challenging and best left in the hands of an experienced attorney. Most Yakima personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency-fee basis, so there is usually no initial cost, and all fees are paid at the end of the claim from the settlement or verdict funds.