If you’ve been a victim of a car accident in Fall River, MA, you’ve probably thought or are thinking of filing a car accident claim by hiring a Fall River car accident lawyer. One of the first things you did following your car accident was to contact your car insurance company to inform them of the accident. If the injuries and damages were severe, you might also be thinking of contacting a car accident attorney near you to help you with your claim.
Once you’ve notified the insurance company of your accident, they will open an insurance claim. If the at-fault driver filed a claim with their insurer, a representative from the company might also contact you. Be careful not to make any statements without the presence of a car accident lawyer in Fall River.
It’s an open secret that insurance companies would rather protect their bottom line than pay you the amount you requested in your claim. Below is a step by step process of how insurance companies investigate your claim after you’ve filed it.
What Happens After You’ve Filed Your Car Accident Claim in Fall River, MA?
Once you’ve filed your claim, an insurance company representative will get in touch with you to find out more information about your accident. Once they’ve documented your statement, the insurance adjuster might do a follow-up to get clarity on certain aspects of your statement regarding the car accident. It’s a way for the insurance company to determine if you are telling the truth and to establish liability. They will review your statements against the police report and other physical evidence like surveillance footage and pictures.
Why Car Insurance Companies Will Investigate Your Claim
Insurance companies are in business to make a profit so it is in their own best interest to pay you as little as possible. An insurance company can deny your claim even if it’s a legitimate one. They can come up with small reasons to deny your claim or to compensate you with an amount that’s less than you deserve. If you feel your insurer is acting in bad faith, you can consult the services of a Fall River car accident lawyer and they can help you with your claim.
If you’ve suffered serious injuries from your accident, your claim may be too complicated to pursue on your own. Insurance companies might give you some sort of push back and you might not even be able to identify everyone that is liable for your accident. A car accident attorney in Fall River, MA can do this for you and you won’t have to pay them anything if they do not secure compensation for you.
How Do Insurance Companies in Fall River, MA Investigate Claims?
The first thing an insurance company will do is to hire an insurance investigator whose job is to detect insurance fraud. The investigator has law enforcement experience and knowledge. They are able to reconstruct your accident to check for evidence of fraud. They will look for:
- A copy of the police report regarding your accident
- A record of your medical bills
- The damages on your car
- Pictures or videos of the accident scene
- Physical evidence of the damage, your injuries, etc.
It’s important to have all of the above in case they ask for them. This will make it much easier for the investigator to establish liability and consequently to fast track your case.
How Long Will the Insurance Investigation Take?
The insurance company will drag out your case as much as possible. They do this hoping that you will get frustrated or confused and end up settling for the little amount of compensation they offered you.
The good news is that a Fall River car accident lawyer can expedite the claims process for you. However, sometimes an insurance company may not be stalling the investigation and may actually still be conducting an extensive investigation. This is especially true if your case involves serious damages. If you believe your insurer is acting in bad faith, it would be in your best interest to ensure to hire a lawyer who will protect your rights and get you the justice that you deserve.
You Can Request Free Legal Consultation from a Fall River Car Accident Lawyer
We offer free legal consultation to personal injury victims. Our Fall River Car Accident lawyer is happy to help. Call us today at 508-676-0001 and we will discuss your case and determine how we can help you.
