The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that around 6 million car accidents happen in the United States every year. That means a crash occurs every few seconds somewhere in the country. If you’ve just been in one, or you’re trying to get ahead of the process, you’re not alone.
Filing an insurance claim after a car accident is often more complicated than people expect. Insurance companies are not eager to pay. Your job is to make sure your claim reflects the full extent of your losses and injuries.
This article gives you a clear, step-by-step guide on the insurance claims process. You’ll learn what to do immediately after a crash, how to avoid common mistakes, what documents to gather, and how to negotiate for a fair settlement. If the situation gets complicated, you’ll also know when it’s time to get legal help.
Initial Steps to File a Claim
The way you handle the first few hours after a crash can shape the rest of your claim. Take the following steps as soon as you can:
1. Contact emergency services
Call 911 and request police assistance. If anyone is hurt, ask for medical help immediately. A police report creates an official record, which can become key evidence.
2. Gather critical information
Exchange names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, and insurance policy details with the other driver. Get contact information from any witnesses.
3. Document the scene
Take pictures of the damage to all vehicles, traffic signs, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Time-stamped images add credibility to your claim.
4. Notify your insurance company
Call your insurer within 24 hours and report the accident. Give only the facts. Avoid speculating about fault or downplaying your injuries.
5. Request a copy of the police report
Once available, get the report and review it for accuracy. It will be used by insurers to determine liability.
In states like Georgia and Alabama, you are legally required to report an accident if it results in injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage. Failing to report can jeopardize your claim.
Documents You Need to Support a Car Accident Insurance Claim
Strong documentation increases your chances of receiving a full settlement. Insurers will not take your word for it. You need to show clear evidence of the accident, your injuries, and your financial losses.
Keep track of the following:
- Emergency room and hospital bills
- Medical records, including doctor evaluations and treatment plans
- Pharmacy receipts and equipment costs
- Vehicle repair estimates or total loss valuation
- Wage loss documentation from your employer
- Insurance communications and settlement letters
- Photos of injuries over time
- Journal entries about your symptoms and limitations
Having this paperwork ready allows you to respond quickly to insurance requests and protect yourself from lowball offers.
Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Car Insurance Claim
Even small missteps can damage your claim or reduce your payout. Avoid the following common mistakes:
- Delaying medical care: If you wait days or weeks to see a doctor, the insurer may argue your injuries were not serious or were not related to the crash.
- Giving a recorded statement too soon: You are not required to provide a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. What you say could be used to reduce or deny your claim.
- Accepting the first settlement offer: Initial offers are often much lower than what your claim is worth. Insurers count on your urgency to settle fast.
- Failing to report the accident to your own insurer: Even if the other driver is at fault, your policy may have benefits you can use, such as medical payments coverage.
- Posting about the accident on social media: Photos or comments about your recovery, travel, or physical activity can be used against you.
Being cautious and informed gives you more control throughout the process.
How to Negotiate with Insurance Companies After a Crash
Insurance adjusters are trained to settle claims quickly and for as little money as possible. Here are ways to strengthen your position during negotiations:
- Know what your claim is worth: Add up your medical costs, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Use documentation to back up every number.
- Do not accept verbal offers: Request that all offers and agreements be provided in writing. This gives you time to review and consider next steps.
- Reject low offers with supporting evidence: It is okay to decline an offer. Provide receipts, records, and photos to explain why your claim is worth more.
- Stay professional: Frustration is understandable, but keeping the tone civil during conversations and emails helps move things forward.
- Continue medical treatment as needed: Stopping treatment early can hurt your health and your claim. Keep all scheduled appointments and follow your doctor’s orders.
If your claim drags out or negotiations stall, it may be time to escalate.
When to Hire a Lawyer for an Auto Insurance Claim
Many people wait too long to contact a lawyer. In some cases, that delay can cost them compensation they would have otherwise received.
You should speak with an attorney if:
- You were seriously injured or hospitalized
- Fault is being disputed by the other driver or insurer
- You received a low settlement offer
- The other driver is uninsured or underinsured
- There are multiple vehicles or parties involved
- You are being blamed for the accident
- You are not sure what your claim is worth
According to the Insurance Research Council, people who hired attorneys received an average of 3.5 times more compensation than those who did not. A lawyer can investigate the crash, calculate your total losses, and handle communication with the insurance company so you do not have to.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Auto Insurance Claims Process
Here is a general outline of what to expect during a car accident insurance claim:
- Initial claim filing with your or the other driver’s insurer
- Claim investigation, including review of records and damage assessments
- Determination of fault based on evidence and local traffic laws
- Settlement offer made by the insurance company
- Negotiation or dispute resolution if the offer is too low
- Payment once a final agreement is reached or a lawsuit is filed
In Georgia and Alabama, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If negotiations fail and that deadline passes, you will lose the right to recover damages in court.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with a car accident is stressful enough. The insurance claims process should not add more pressure, but it often does. That is where preparation makes a difference. When you know your rights, keep good records, and avoid common mistakes, you have a better chance of recovering everything you are owed.
If you are injured, overwhelmed, or facing pushback from the insurance company, it is time to talk to someone who can take over the fight.
Contact Mike Slocumb Law Firm today. We help accident victims take control of their claims and get results. Call now for a free consultation with a legal team that knows how to win.