How Do Insurance Companies Investigate a Car Accident?

If you get injured in a car accident in Nebraska, you will file a claim with the auto insurance provider of the at-fault party, which is typically one of the car insurance companies. This could be the other driver involved in the crash, a third party, or your own insurance company. Either way, you will have to go through the insurance investigation process before you can receive benefits.

Knowing how insurance companies investigate car accident claims can help you prepare for the process to come. If you need any assistance during your car accident claim, feel free to contact us at Knowles Law Firm. We have an extensive track record of bringing fair compensation and success to our clients, and we can do the same for you during this difficult time.

Why Insurance Companies Investigate

Insurance companies investigate car accidents to protect themselves against fraudulent claims and to properly assess the validity of the claim. According to the Insurance Information Institute, more than 15 percent of all auto claims payments made in 2012 were the result of a fraudulent claim.

By investigating the accident, insurance companies can gather evidence to support or deny the claim and make an informed decision about how to proceed. However, insurance companies are also businesses who are interested in maintaining their profits and holding onto their money. This means insurance companies cannot always be trusted alone with legal matters, and an attorney will likely be the best option to keep the playing field balanced and fair.

How Do Insurance Companies Investigate Vehicle Accidents?

If you want to better understand how insurance companies investigate their car accident claims, we can provide a thorough breakdown.

Assign an Insurance Adjuster to Your Claim

First, the insurance company will assign a worker with the title of insurance claims adjuster to your case. Insurance adjusters receive multiple cases across their desks every month. They are the professionals in charge of reviewing insurance claims and deciding if the claimant is entitled to receive benefits. Insurance fraud can lead to significant financial losses for insurers, making thorough investigations essential.

The insurance adjuster will be on the side of the insurance company. The adjuster will want to minimize, not maximize, your payout to save the insurance company money. Be careful what you say to a claims adjuster during an investigation. Do not admit fault, for example, or talk about your injuries until you have seen a doctor. The adjuster will be looking for reasons to deny or reduce benefits.

Read the Police Report

The adjuster will call you shortly after you report the car accident to ask for details and information, starting with the police report number. Calling the police and getting the police report number can strengthen your claim in the eyes of an insurance company. Additionally, documenting the accident scene with photographs and notes can provide crucial evidence for your claim.

The police report can contain important details about your crash, such as who the police officer believes was to blame or which driver received a citation. Always give the police your side of the story while at the scene of a car accident. This will help you establish your version of events.

Talk to the Other Party

Once the adjuster speaks to you about the accident, he or she will collect information from the other party or parties involved. The adjuster may call the other driver involved in your wreck as well as speak to eyewitnesses who watched the crash occur. The goal of these conversations will be for the claims adjuster to obtain a well-rounded view of how and why the accident happened. This will allow the adjuster to determine liability and decide on your claim based on the insurance company’s investigation.

Review Photographs and Other Evidence

The insurance company will ask you to submit any evidence you have regarding your car accident. Insurance investigations often involve a detailed review of all available evidence to ensure the accuracy of the claims. This may include photographs and video footage. The claims adjuster will inspect images taken to see if the property losses match what you have claimed. Taking photographs yourself while at the scene of a car accident can give you evidence of the other driver’s liability. A picture of food wrappers in the other driver’s seat, for instance, could serve as evidence of driver distraction.

Assess Property Damage in Person

Many insurance claims adjusters leave the office to visit crash scenes and auto shops in person. This in-person assessment is a critical step in the claim process to ensure an accurate estimation of repair costs. The adjuster may need an in-person assessment of property damage to accurately estimate the costs of repairs. The adjuster will also check to make sure the losses claimed are accurate to verify your credibility. The adjuster may also revisit the scene of the crash to try to gather available evidence, such as photographs of tire marks on the ground.

Review Medical Documentation

Last but not least, an insurance company will conduct an in-depth review of your medical records. This includes scrutinizing medical bills to ensure that all claimed expenses are legitimate and related to the accident. It is important not to sign a release form giving the insurance company full access to your medical history. This is a strategy the adjuster may use to search for pre-existing conditions and deny your injury claim. Instead, give the insurance company copies of only the medical records that are relevant to your claim.

If you need assistance negotiating with an insurance company during its car accident investigation, contact an attorney in Omaha for representation.

Protecting Against Fraudulent Claims

Insurance companies take fraudulent claims very seriously, as they can result in significant financial losses. To protect against fraudulent claims, insurance companies may conduct thorough investigations, including reviewing medical records, police reports, and witness statements. They may also use specialized software to detect patterns of fraudulent activity. If an insurance company suspects a fraudulent claim, they may deny the claim or take legal action against the claimant.

Cooperating with the Insurance Company’s Investigation

Cooperating with the insurance company’s investigation is crucial to ensuring a smooth and efficient claims process. Claimants should provide all requested documentation and information, including medical records, police reports, and witness statements. They should also be available to answer questions and provide additional information as needed. Failing to cooperate with the investigation can result in delays or even denial of the claim.

However, we also encourage victims to be careful when communicating with insurance companies. You should only provide information that is required of you without adding further details. This is not done with the intention of lying to insurance adjusters but to hold more control over the information that is shared. After all, the more information the insurance company has, the more evidence they may have to undervalue your claim or call it fraudulent. If you have retained an attorney, you likely won’t speak with insurance very frequently or at all.

How Long Does an Insurance Claim Investigation Take?

The length of an insurance claim investigation can vary depending on the complexity of the claim and the amount of evidence required. In general, investigations can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks or even months.

Claimants should be patient and cooperative during the investigation process. It’s also important to note that insurance companies are required to provide regular updates on the status of the investigation and the expected timeline for resolution.

Why Choose Knowles Law Firm for Your Car Accident Claim?

Navigating the complexities of an insurance investigation can be overwhelming, especially when your focus should be on recovery. At Knowles Law Firm, we have a track record of securing multi-million dollar settlements for our clients. With over 55 years of experience, we understand insurance companies’ tactics and know how to protect your rights effectively.

We handle every detail of your claim, from evidence gathering to negotiating with the insurance company, so you don’t have to. Our dedication to quick, fair resolutions means we work tirelessly to move your case forward and achieve a fair result. If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out to us today at (402) 431-9000 or through our contact form.