Dealing with an Insurance Company After a Crash in Arizona

After suffering injuries in a car accident in Arizona, you might face challenges such as pain, reduced mobility, forced time off work, and overwhelming medical bills. Filing a car accident claim can allow you to pursue compensation for these and other losses. However, while your mind might jump to the high drama of a courtroom lawsuit, most injury claims are settled out of court through negotiations.

Auto insurance companies can be notoriously challenging to deal with. Working with an experienced Arizona car accident attorney can give you the support and advocacy you need to demand the compensation you deserve throughout negotiations. They can also help you understand what to expect from the process of filing an insurance claim.

What Do You Need to Know When Dealing with an Insurance Company After a Car Accident?

When filing car accident claims, many injury victims do not realize that dealing with car insurance companies can be frustrating and often disappointing. Remembering the following points can help you protect yourself and your claim.

Insurance Adjusters Are Not Your Friends

When the other driver’s insurance company calls an injured person after an accident, they may try to frame the conversation as a “courtesy call.” However, their attempts to get you to confide in them are actually part of a subtle tactic to get you to say something they can use to undermine your claim. You should never provide more than basic information, such as your name and the date of the accident. Commenting on your mental state, physical health, or the cause of the accident may ultimately harm your claim.

You Do Not Need to Agree to Be Recorded

The insurance company may ask for your consent to record the conversation. They might even say that it is a requirement for them to assess your claim correctly. This is false. Do not consent to providing a recorded statement. It is not necessary and might even hurt your claim.

The Insurance Company Might Search Your Social Media

Insurance companies often search social media accounts for information that can contradict a claim. You must refrain from posting anything about the accident or your injuries online. Even seemingly harmless posts that are not directly connected to your case can be fodder for insurance adjusters. For example, your Facebook page may show that you have visited multiple places since the accident. The insurance company can use this information to say that your injury is not as severe as you have claimed. In general, the best course of action is to stay off social media until your case is over.

Communications with Insurance Adjusters Are Best Left to Your Attorney

An experienced Arizona car accident attorney understands how to manage communications and negotiations with insurers in a way that will protect you. Let your lawyer handle these conversations so you can focus on healing.

How Long Does an Insurance Company Have to Settle a Claim in Arizona?

Arizona insurance companies generally have 40 days from when a claim is filed to reach a settlement. The insurer must acknowledge the claim within 10 working days, when they must send the claimant a proof-of-loss form. When the insurer receives the completed form, they have 15 working days to make a decision, then another 15 total days to make the final payment once the claim is approved.

Claims involving severe or multiple injuries tend to take longer to settle, as do claims with inefficient communication between the injured person and the insurance adjuster. Working with a skilled attorney can help streamline the process.

Can You Refuse the Insurance Company’s Initial Settlement Offer?

The insurer’s initial offer is often far lower than what your claim is truly worth. They do this hoping that a seemingly large amount of money will tempt you because you do not understand your claim’s value. Your settlement should cover your future medical expenses, lost income, and intangible losses such as pain and suffering. They also count on your being in a stressful situation where the idea of waiting for more money may seem worse than taking any settlement offer just to get some financial help.

You should never accept an initial offer without consulting a knowledgeable attorney who can calculate the total value of your claim. In many cases, your lawyer will reject the initial settlement offer and begin negotiations for a settlement covering the full extent of your losses.

What If the Insurance Company Won’t Make a Fair Offer?

If the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney can take the at-fault driver to court and seek damages before a judge and jury. Many insurance companies eventually decide to settle before the trial really begins. If they do not, a skilled courtroom attorney will know how to build a solid case to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Do You Need a Car Accident Lawyer to Handle the Insurance Company?

While there is no legal obligation to hire an attorney to handle your insurance negotiations, having a skilled legal representative is likely in your best interest. Injury victims with attorneys tend to receive more significant compensation packages than those who go it alone. Having a dedicated professional handle your case can also give you the time and space you need to focus on healing.

Contact an Arizona Car Accident Lawyer

The experienced and compassionate team at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. understands how challenging life can become after suffering injuries in a car crash. With so much on your plate, you do not need the additional burden of dealing with an insurance adjuster. Our skilled attorneys are equipped with the knowledge and tenacity to pursue the car accident injury settlement you deserve. Call us today or contact us online to learn more about how our Arizona car accident attorneys can help your case.

Visit Our Arizona Car Accident Law Offices

About the Author

Zachary Mushkatel

Zachary Mushkatel discovered his affinity for the law by chance. As a political science major at the University of Arizona, he first aspired to become a professor. But an unexpected invitation to participate on a mock trial team at the university encouraged him to turn his competitive spirit and drive…