Can You File a Car Accident Insurance Claim On Your Own?

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Can You File a Car Accident Insurance Claim On Your Own?

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

When we learn to drive, we also should learn what to do in the event of a car accident. Most drivers know to stop, make sure everyone is okay, call the authorities, and then exchange insurance information. If you know the other driver was to blame, you might assume you can file a claim against their insurance and receive a check fairly easily. That’s how insurance should work.

Unfortunately, insurance companies can make the process of getting your rightful compensation much more difficult than it should be. In fact, insurance companies can present many obstacles and challenges to your claim, which can be stressful, to say the least. This is the last thing you need while recovering from a serious injury.

Trying to file your own claim can put you in jeopardy of losing significant compensation, so it is always best to seek help from a car accident lawyer in Chicago instead. We are ready to help from the beginning of the claim process, so never wait to reach out for a free case evaluation.

Insurance companies are not on your side.

Insurance companies are businesses, and they want to keep as much revenue as possible. They do this by limiting payouts on claims—including valid claims filed by injured car crash victims. The adjuster might contact you shortly after the accident and tell you they are there to help and that you don’t need to call an attorney. This is a tactic to pay you less.

There are many tactics that adjusters use to minimize or avoid payments to you, including:

1. Talking to you on a recorded phone call and getting you to say something that goes against your claim.
2. Investigating your activities—including social media activity—to find reasons to challenge the severity of your injuries.
3. Implying that you are partially or completely at fault for the accident, so the insurance company of the other driver should not be fully responsible.
4. Making a quick settlement offer right out of the gate, hoping you accept a much lower amount than you deserve.

Too many car accident victims accept a lowball settlement, not realizing they need much more to cover their losses. Once you accept something, you waive your right to seek additional funds for your injuries. You never want to accept anything without first having a car accident attorney review the insurance offer. Having the right legal representation signals to the insurance company that it cannot play games with your claim and your future.

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A Chicago Car Accident Lawyer is Here to Help

At Malman Law, we take the entire claim process off your hands, so you do not need to worry about saying or doing the wrong thing, missing deadlines, or other logistical issues. You can focus on your medical care and physical healing while we handle the rest. Contact us online to set up your free case evaluation. We are here to assist you.