[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/how-do-you-file-a-claim-after-an-accident\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/how-do-you-file-a-claim-after-an-accident\/","headline":"How Do You File a Claim After an Accident?","name":"How Do You File a Claim After an Accident?","description":"Georgia is an at-fault auto insurance state, which means you may be entitled to compensation from the other driver if you are involved in a car accident that wasn\u2019t your fault. To recover the money you are owed, you\u2019ll need to understand how to file an insurance claim....","datePublished":"2021-07-01","dateModified":"2024-12-30","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/kenbernard\/#Person","name":"Ken Bernard","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/kenbernard\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2c8989e3a6ded75e4fe0fae6e90fc6dfec65eaf7676e8cefa113ad6e8e2d6c66?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2c8989e3a6ded75e4fe0fae6e90fc6dfec65eaf7676e8cefa113ad6e8e2d6c66?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","width":300,"height":109}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/car-accident-in-highway.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/car-accident-in-highway.jpg","height":666,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/how-do-you-file-a-claim-after-an-accident\/","about":["Auto Accident"],"wordCount":1051,"articleBody":"Georgia is an at-fault auto insurance state, which means you may be entitled to compensation from the other driver if you are involved in a car accident that wasn\u2019t your fault. To recover the money you are owed, you\u2019ll need to understand how to file an insurance claim.An auto insurance claim is like a formal request to an insurance provider for the money you need to cover your injuries and losses due to a car accident. To learn more about filing a\u00a0Georgia car accident claim, contact the personal injury lawyers of\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., for a free consultation.Contact the Police Immediately Following the AccidentCall 911 and ask for an officer to be dispatched to the scene. A police officer can help keep the area safe, summon emergency services, and create a crash report.Georgia law requires you to report a motor vehicle accident to the police if it results in injury, death, or at least $500 in property damage. In addition, police reports also often contain information that can be extremely useful for your claim.Hire a Personal Injury AttorneyIn most cases, it\u2019s in your best interest to hire a personal injury attorney after a Georgia car accident. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you\u00a0avoid common\u00a0stumbling blocks and support your compensation claim by:Answering your questions in a free consultation \u2013\u00a0The attorneys of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., offer free initial case reviews. You can get a professional evaluation and answers to your most important questions at no cost or obligation to you.Working on a\u00a0contingency fee basis\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Our firm works on a contingency basis, which means you pay us nothing unless we win compensation for you in a settlement or favorable verdict. We can start on your case immediately with no up-front or out-of-pocket fees.Conducting an independent investigation \u2013\u00a0Your personal injury lawyer will investigate the car accident independently to uncover valuable evidence and build a strong case.Communicating with others on your behalf \u2013\u00a0Your attorney can communicate with other drivers, insurance companies, and lawyers on your behalf. This can help you avoid damaging your case with statements that could be taken out of context, twisted, and used against your claim.Consulting with expert witnesses\u2013\u00a0Lawyers frequently work with medical providers and accident reconstruction specialists who can provide expert insight into the causes and effects of an accident.Negotiating aggressively to maximize your compensation \u2013\u00a0Good attorneys are experienced negotiators who won\u2019t be afraid to stand up to big insurance companies trying to minimize your claim.Representing you in court, if necessary \u2013\u00a0If the insurance company refuses to agree to a reasonable settlement, your attorney can help you take them to court and sue for the compensation you deserve.Properly Notify All Potential Insurance CarriersOne of the most important steps you can take after a car accident is to provide proper notice to all potential insurance carriers. This includes the at-fault driver\u2019s insurance company and providers of medical payment, uninsured motorist, and underinsured motorist coverage on your auto policy.Most insurance policies involve contracts that require you to notify the insurance company within a specific time after an accident. If you fail to keep up your end of the contract, you may lose your legal right to demand money from the insurer.You should always speak with a lawyer before you contact any insurance providers after an accident. An attorney can help you calculate the value of your claim, draft a letter to the insurance companies, and avoid damaging statements.What You Shouldn\u2019t Say to Your Insurance Company After an AccidentEven if\u00a0insurance adjusters\u00a0sound like they\u2019re on your side, the truth is they work for large corporations that are out to make money. This means every time you speak to a representative from any insurance company, you can bet they\u2019ll be listening carefully for any reason to deny or minimize your claim and protect the company\u2019s bottom line.Be wary of what you say to insurance companies after a car accident, and be sure to avoid:Making statements right after the crash \u2013\u00a0It will likely take a while for you to process what happened after a crash. Give yourself time to recover before you contact the insurance company or make any statements.Providing opinions or estimates \u2013\u00a0If you don\u2019t know the answer to a question, it\u2019s okay to admit that you just don\u2019t know. Avoid trying to provide estimates or uninformed opinions.Apologizing or admitting fault \u2013\u00a0Do not say you are sorry, admit to any wrongdoing, or discuss your opinions regarding who caused the crash.Telling them you feel fine \u2013\u00a0Symptoms of some car accident injuries may not appear for days or even weeks until after a crash. If you\u2019re on record saying you don\u2019t feel injured, the insurance company could use that as an excuse to deny legitimate future injury claims.Accepting a settlement without talking to an attorney \u2013\u00a0Insurance companies often make low-ball offers early on to avoid paying their fair share. An attorney can help you determine whether a settlement is reasonable and negotiate further, if necessary.How Long After a Car Accident Can You File an Insurance Claim?While there\u2019s no legal time limit to file an insurance claim, most policyholders are required to file accident claims within a specific time per their contracts. It\u2019s also important to note that personal injury lawsuits are subject to a two-year deadline in Georgia.This means that if you need to take your insurance claim to court,\u00a0you must do so within two years of the date of the accident. If you fail to file before the two-year deadline expires, you will lose your right to demand compensation in a lawsuit. Only a few narrow exceptions could extend the statute of limitations on a car accident claim.Contact a Georgia Car Accident Attorney TodayIf you suffered injuries in a Georgia car accident caused by someone else\u2019s negligence, you have the right to hold them financially accountable for your losses. Contact the experienced car accident attorneys of\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.Visit Our Georgia Car Accident Injury Law Offices"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Do You File a Claim After an Accident?","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/how-do-you-file-a-claim-after-an-accident\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]