Following an injury after an auto accident in Fall River, MA, you’ll want to file an insurance accident claim and a police report with your insurer. Filing a claim is the first step towards getting compensated for lost wages, medical expenses, and other damages incurred as a result of the accident.
Unfortunately, the insurance company does not always honor its promise to cover your expenses and losses. This is despite the fact that you signed up with them mainly because they advertised how they pay claims quickly and you willingly participated in the investigation process.
The good news is that with the help of an auto accident attorney in Fall River, MA, you can appeal an insurance claim denial. Having legal counsel could increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.
The Investigation Claims Process
You have to notify your insurer within 24 hours after your auto car accident. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you’ll need to contact the party at fault’s insurer and provide them with information about the accident.
The insurer will then open an investigation into your claim.
What Happens During the Investigation?
An insurance adjuster will get in touch with you after you have filed your claim. They will want to know information such as:
- Evidence collected at the scene of the crime including photos and videos
- Police report
- Medical report
- Contact information of witnesses
The adjuster will review your policy and then tell you what will be covered in relation to your accident. This does not mean that it’s what you will receive as compensation in the end but it will give you an idea of what to expect.
The adjuster will then gather more information by checking witness statements, obtaining a police report, checking traffic cameras, and so on. They will also take your car to the garage to determine whether it can be repaired or totaled.
The adjuster will also want to review your medical records to get an idea of how serious your injuries are.
What Happens Next After Your Auto Accident Claim is Denied?
There are several reasons why your auto accident claim may have been denied and they include:
- You were not at fault for the accident
- The amount you claimed was much higher than the value of the damages
- Your injuries were not as a result of the accident
- The person driving your car at the time was not covered by the policy
- Your cover does not cover specific uses of the car such as using it for commercial purposes
- You did not notify the insurance company in good time about your auto accident
- You deliberately damaged your car
- Your policy coverage had expired
