What You Should Know About the Auto Insurance Claims Process
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NYTSA), approximately 2.7 million people are injured in automobile accidents in the U.S. every year. And inevitably, with accidents comes accident claims, which can be a hassle for anyone involved.
According to Pawtucket auto accident lawyer Raymond A. Pacia, the decision to make a claim against an insurance company generally should be based upon the fault of the other driver and the extent of injuries and damages you suffer as a result of the accident.
After you file a claim for your auto accident , the insurance company assigns a representative to investigate the claim and determine liability. The insurer then reviews the damages claimed. Keep in mind, only damages covered by the policy are considered.
Who is liable for Pawtucket automobile accident injury and property damages?
Even if you are not at fault, you need to report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as possible. You may have certain coverages that will immediately pay for your property damage and medical expenses without having to wait and see if the other insurance company will accept or deny your claim. Once it is determined who is at fault, your insurance company can recover the money they paid out from the negligent party's insurance company.
Many states around the country have mandated that certain levels of auto insurance coverage be required before you are allowed to drive on state roads and highways. In Rhode Island, the minimum levels of Pawtucket automobile accident injury insurance coverage are:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability for one person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability for multiple persons
- $25,000 for property damage coverage
With this type of insurance, if you are to blame for an automobile accident, your liability insurance pays the other driver for property damage and personal injuries up to your policy's limits. If you are not at fault, the other driver's liability insurance pays for your car damage and personal injuries.
However, in many cases, damages may exceed policy limits or the negligent driver may have no insurance at all. That is why the state of Rhode Island mandates that you purchase uninsured or under-insured motorist protection. With this policy, you will be able to file against your own insurance company for uninsured or under-insured claims.
Why you need a car accident attorney in Pawtucket
It is never a good idea to represent yourself in a personal injury case. Remember, the insurance company does not have your best interests at heart and will try to settle any claims for the lowest possible amount. That is why you need to hire an experienced Pawtucket auto accident lawyer who can protect your rights and negotiate with the insurance company to get you the money you need to cover medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
If your attorney is unable to settle the case with the insurance company, then he or she will file an automobile accident lawsuit in Pawtucket.
Free initial consultation and interview
The Pawtucket automobile accident injury law firm of Raymond A. Pacia has successfully represented many victims in bringing an automobile accident lawsuit in Pawtucket against negligent drivers and their insurance companies.
If you have a Pawtucket automobile accident injury claim, call us at 401.727.2242 or toll free at 800.933.0390.
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