If you get in an accident in a vehicle or while on the job, life can already feel complicated. It can get even more complicated when you sustain an injury from the accident and need to file a personal injury claim. You’ll have to deal with your insurance agency and, potentially, the insurance agency of the negligent party, as a personal injury lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, such as from Unidos Legales, can explain. Here’s some common encounters you might face with insurance after the accident.
Reporting the Accident
After your accident, it’s important to notify all the right people. This includes the police, to obtain a report, and your insurance company. The insurance company will want to get your statement about what happened, so it can be good to write down notes about what you recall from the crash. Those details may matter later when you recount the facts.
Talking to a Claims Adjuster
The insurance company will send a claims adjuster out to investigate and interview you about the accident. Their intent is likely not to help you, but to find holes in your story that make you seem more liable for the accident than you may have been. They may use this to build a case stating why the insurance company owes you less for injures than it actually does. You may want to talk to a lawyer before the claims adjuster arrives so that you can go over what to say.
Evaluating Your Personal Injury Protection Plan
If you are trying to reach a settlement with an insurance agency, you may still be paying hospital bills and other expenses while you wait to come to an agreement. The longer the case takes, the longer you’ll have to wait for your compensation. Personal Injury Protection is a part of your policy that covers those costs in the meantime. If you have this in your policy and you live in a no-fault state, then your insurance rate will likely not be affected. However, insurance in other states may act differently for each situation. Discussing your policy with your insurance company can be the best way to figure out how your rates will be affected.
Dealing with lost wages, investigations into who is at fault for the accident and pain you suffer from an injury can be overbearing. Discussing your case with a lawyer can be the best way to ease your mind and get you on the right track. They can advise you about proper compensation and how to handle the insurance companies.