After an accident, most of us have to deal with filing a claim with our insurance company or the one representing the other person involved. But here’s a detail that perhaps not everyone knows: insurance companies are businesses, and like good businesses, they seek to make money.
Yes, they are happy to receive our monthly payments to cover our premiums, but when an accident needs to be paid, they want to pay as little as possible or, in some cases, deny the claim altogether.
First, the insurance adjuster comes into play. Their principal mission is to determine who was at fault in the accident and calculate the percentage of fault. According to them, this helps determine how much they pay or whether they say “nothing for you.”
But what if the insurance company is decidedly unconvinced and goes out of its way to argue otherwise?
Let’s put it this way: Insurance companies get the news that someone plans to ask them for money for an accident. What they want is for the person they cover not to be blamed. But here’s the catch: if the company decides otherwise. It is much more complicated to get the compensation you need to deal with the consequences of that accident and your injuries.
Here is where your lawyer would come in. Yes, having a lawyer from the beginning can be like having someone defend you in a fight. A lawyer can be crucial in proving that the party covered by the insurance policy was the one causing the chaos you got into.
Insurance Adjusters: Determining Fault
The insurance adjuster’s job is to assess fault in the accident. They examine witness statements, police reports, photos, videos, and other crash evidence to assign a fault percentage. However, adjusters may sometimes use tactics to deny your claim or offer insufficient compensation.
After an accident, you will have to call your insurance company, in which case, insurance adjusters will come to the scene.
Their mission: determine who is at fault. How do they do it? Let me explain.
They review witness statements, police reports, photos, videos, and any evidence of the crash.
They will assign a percentage of fault. For example, if they believe both drivers share the blame, they assign 50% to each. But this doesn’t mean they only pay you 50% of the damage; it’s more like a sharing of responsibility. Half is yours, and the other half is the other drivers.
But when it comes time to pay, the adjuster may do the opposite of their job as “your insurer.” They can use tactics to deny your claim or, even worse, offer you compensation that seems like a joke.
Key Evidence Considered by Insurance Companies
They will analyze all clues to determine who is at fault in an accident. Let me tell you what evidence they take into account:
- Police report
When officers arrive at the accident scene, they conduct their investigation. First, they check if anyone needs urgent medical help. Then, they assess the accident scene, take statements from drivers and witnesses, inspect vehicles, and, if someone admits fault, the officer creates a police report available to you a few days later. However, this report is not sacred and can have errors. So, review it quickly and correct any mistakes to make it a reliable source.
2. Witness testimony
These people tell not only what they saw, but may also notice details you missed, like that puddle on the ground or that red traffic light.
If you need to use their testimonies to prove who was at fault. Contacting an attorney soon is crucial. This way, your lawyer can quickly obtain those statements before memories fade with the passing days, and witnesses may start forgetting things. So, act fast to get a narrative that doesn’t harm you.
3. Video evidence
Many intelligent drivers use dash cams or rearview mirror cameras, which act as additional eyes on the road. If you or the other driver has one of these cameras, the recording can prove who was at fault.
Not only your car cameras are useful; stores and streets may also have security cameras recording what happens inside and outside. However, these recordings tend to be deleted quickly, so it’s advisable to act fast.
4. Photos
Insurance adjusters will use your photos if you can capture details after the accident before they arrive. It will help them understand what exactly happened.
If you’ve had a crash, your photos may have captured the positions of the vehicles and the damages, providing a unique insight that reports and testimonies cannot offer.
Even if you can’t take photos at the time, your lawyer can do so later to strengthen your case. Post-incident images can show the extent of the damage to your vehicle and the location, supporting your claim to the insurance company.
5. Expert witnesses
After a car accident, an expert witness could be essential to determine who was at fault. Someone with experience in accident reconstruction can analyze the vehicle positions, crash dynamics, and other scene details to determine the sequence of events.
How do loss adjusters resolve these claims?
In Las Vegas, Nevada, we know the insurance laws and how to navigate this complicated terrain. The insurance adjuster will only use readily available information and what they have access to.
Remember, the insurance adjuster was not at the accident scene. So, you must have a solid track record and gather as much evidence as possible.
When to call a lawyer after an accident?
After taking care of yourself, this is where we, Pacific West, come in to help with any anomalies and to receive the compensation that should be. Insurance companies sometimes can complicate things, and we are here to pave the way. If you are not at fault and things are getting tough, it’s time to call us!
Why?
Accumulation of Bills: Medical bills and loss of income can quickly pile up while you recover. You shouldn’t have to face this alone.
Insurer Delays: Cases can take months or even years to resolve. Meanwhile, debts accumulate, and you need support.
Call your lawyer
After a crash, insurance companies step in to decide who is at fault and how much they are willing to pay. Try to gather all possible evidence, and if you need help and the situation with the adjuster is not clear, don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer.