The auto insurance claims process can be confusing, especially after a car accident. Insurance companies review evidence to determine fault and assess losses and decide what to pay on your car accident claim.
If you’ve been involved in an accident, at Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers we can help you understand the claims process and gather evidence to support your claim. Contact our office today for a free initial consultation.
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- How Do Police Reports Support an Auto Insurance Claim?
- How Do Driver and Witness Statements Affect Your Claim?
- Photos and Videos From the Accident Scene
- What Kind of Medical Evidence Is Used To Evaluate an Injury Claim?
- How Do Insurers Assess Vehicle and Property Damage?
- Methods Insurance Companies Use To Determine Fault
- Types of Documents Used To Prove Lost Wages and Financial Losses
- How Does Insurance Coverage and Policy Limits Affect Your Claim?
- How Do Prior Claims Affect Your Claim?
- What Can Threaten the Success of Your Car Accident Claim?
- Get the Legal Help You Deserve With Your Car Accident Claim
How Do Police Reports Support an Auto Insurance Claim?
Police reports provide useful information when an insurance company is investigating a claim. A police report will:
- Document the incident: A police report includes information about the drivers involved, note if they were issued a citation, and includes any witnesses at the scene. It also includes the accident location, and describes the road conditions and vehicle damage.
- Help the insurer assess fault: Adjusters compare officer observations with photos, witness statements, and other evidence. While a police report can indicate fault, it does not always determine liability.
How Do Driver and Witness Statements Affect Your Claim?
Photos and Videos From the Accident Scene
What Kind of Medical Evidence Is Used To Evaluate an Injury Claim?
Insurance companies will review medical records, diagnoses, test results, treatment plans, and bills to understand the nature and severity of your injuries. These records can also show treatment costs, recovery progress, and whether or not future care is needed.
Delaying treatment or missing appointments could cause an insurer to question if the accident caused your injury and how serious it is. Seeking prompt medical care, following the recommended treatment plan, and keeping thorough records can help connect your injury to the accident.
How Do Insurers Assess Vehicle and Property Damage?
Insurers will review photographs, repair estimates, inspection reports, and vehicle appraisals to determine the extent of the damage. Adjusters often consider factors such as repair costs, the vehicle’s pre-accident value, depreciation, and salvage value.
They will also review damage to personal belongings or other property. In some cases, an adjuster might compare the vehicle damage with the reported injuries and medical records. However, just because the damage to a vehicle might be limited, does not always mean that the occupants of the car only suffered minor injuries.
Get on the road to recovery with competent legal representation and high-quality medical professionals. Contact our Maryland personal injury lawyer today.
Methods Insurance Companies Use To Determine Fault
To determine fault, insurance companies will review applicable local traffic laws, accident reports, statements from other drivers or eyewitnesses, and photographs or video footage of the scene. However, in disputed cases, they can also examine electronic vehicle data or accident reconstruction findings.
Maryland follows a contributory negligence rule. This means that when an injured person was partly at fault for the accident, they could be barred from recovering compensation, even if the accident was mostly someone else’s fault. As a result, insurance companies often try to say that you were partly at fault for the accident. However, an experienced attorney can challenge the insurance company by presenting additional evidence.
Types of Documents Used To Prove Lost Wages and Financial Losses
To claim lost wages or other financial losses, insurance companies require proof. Documents that support proof of financial losses include:
- Pay stubs and tax returns
- Wages, missed work, and employment status
- Medical records
- Receipts, invoices, and bills
Keeping complete records will establish how much income you’ve lost after an accident.
How Does Insurance Coverage and Policy Limits Affect a Claim?
Insurance policies specify which coverage applies, who is covered, and how much compensation is available to pay a claim. Insurers will review exclusions, deductibles, and other policy terms that affect payment of your claim.
Depending on the circumstances and each policy’s terms, available coverage could include liability coverage, which pays for injuries and property damage to others. It could also include collision coverage, which pays for repairs or replacement of the insured vehicle regardless of fault. In some scenarios, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage could apply if the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage.
Keep in mind that deductibles determine how much the policyholder must pay out of pocket, and policy limits set the maximum amount the insurer will pay under a particular type of coverage.
How Do Prior Claims Affect Your Accident Claim?
When you file a claim, the insurance company will examine your history for any past accidents, injuries, or vehicle damage. This helps determine whether your current injuries or damage relate to the latest incident rather than an older one. However, having a previous claim does not automatically disqualify your new claim or imply you are at fault.
What Can Threaten the Success of Your Car Accident Claim?
You can protect the success of your case by avoiding actions that threaten your car accident claim. Only provide concrete facts when speaking to insurers and avoid guessing about any details you do not remember. Exaggerating symptoms, failing to continue your treatment, and providing incomplete records can raise concerns. Getting in touch with an attorney before speaking with the insurance company can help prevent the types of mistakes that can harm your claim.
Get the Legal Help You Deserve With Your Car Accident Claim
The information you provide to an insurance company can affect how it determines fault and, ultimately, impact the value of your claim. At Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers, an experienced car accident lawyer can review the evidence, handle communications with the insurer, and help protect your rights throughout the auto insurance claims process. Contact our law office today at (410) 449-7900 to schedule a free consultation.
