What Should I Tell the Insurance Company About My Car Accident?

What Should I Tell the Insurance Company About My Car Accident?

Dealing with the insurance company after your car accident can be one of the most complicated and confusing parts of your claim. Insurance companies, after all, are for-profit businesses and may be difficult when it comes time to file your claim, which can make getting your compensation slower.

But, with the right team and the right information, you could see a solid settlement for your claim: it’s just a matter of providing what you can about the accident and your own damages. Make sure you’re prepared to handle the insurers by keeping state laws and what you must share in mind.

Illinois Laws

Each state has their own unique laws about negligence and what your insurance company needs to know. One of the most important things to remember is that Illinois is a fault state for car accidents. For you, this means that your part in the accident is under consideration, too—even if you weren’t the one mostly responsible for causing the accident.

Illinois also observes modified comparative negligence, which could affect your case if you were partly responsible for the accident but not the majority of it. For instance, if you are found 25 percent negligent, you could lose 25 percent of your settlement. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you will lose your right to compensation completely, so it’s important to work with an attorney who knows how to minimize your portion of the fault.

What You Should Share with the Insurer

One of the most important things that you’ll need to share with your insurer is the names and insurers of the people involved in the accident. While there are no laws on what you can or cannot share with the insurance company, it’s best to only share what information is absolutely necessary, letting your attorney handle most of the communication and negotiations.

If you were not at fault for your accident, providing as much information as possible that proves this will be the most helpful in getting your proper compensation. If the insurance company does not see that you were not at fault, they may try to devalue your claim or simply deny it completely.

Likewise, making sure they know what damages you have suffered will help your claim, but it is also important to prove that your damages were caused by the accident. Pictures of the immediate aftermath of the crash may be useful to prove your injuries and the damages suffered by your vehicle. The key is to let your attorney determine what the insurer needs to know and to never send more than absolutely necessary.

Speak to Our Team Today

Not sure how to handle an insurance company? At Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC, we’re interested in helping you get the settlement you need. Navigating insurance company policies and how to file your claim with them is not always easy, especially if you suffered serious injuries, but getting your full compensation is vital.

Reaching us is easy: Just give us a call at 815-656-4600 or fill out the online form below. We will be ready to help with your insurance claim for your auto wreck.