Explaining the Insurance Company’s Investigation of Your Claim
January 9, 2019
Were you injured in an accident? Whether it was a construction accident, a car accident, a slip and fall, or other work-related accident, you will likely want to file a claim with your insurance company or the insurance company of a third party involved in the accident. Once you file your claim there will be an agent assigned to it. This agent will then open a file for the claim and begin the insurance company’s review, or investigation of the claim. This is common for all personal injury claims filed with insurance companies and is done so in order to discover possible fraudulent activity by the claimant.
Adjuster Talks with the Insured
The first step in the insurance company investigation will occur when the adjuster assigned to the case speaks with the insured. The insured is the person who is named on the policy who filed the claim. The adjuster will ask the insured all sorts of questions related to their injuries and the accident that caused them. This helps the adjuster determine if the claim is legitimate right off the bat. This also includes the adjuster reviewing any written accident report submitted to the insurance company by the insured.
Adjuster Acquires Records
The adjuster will move to the next step in the investigation by acquiring the official records related to the accident. If it was a vehicle crash that led to the claim, the adjuster will contact the appropriate police department to obtain a copy of the police report. If a report had to be filed with PennDOT Driver & Vehicle Services, the adjuster will contact this agency to obtain a report. If the injury stems from an assault, the adjuster will acquire the police report if the police were notified.
Adjuster Responds to the Claim
Should no one actually file a claim against the insurance policy for a report made by the insured, the adjuster does nothing further. The adjuster will not simply try to find anyone injured in the incident that led to the report. If a claim is filed, the adjuster will respond to it with a generic letter, which introduces them to the insured or the claimant. The letter will include the policy limits and request any and all documents related to the claim (medical records, police report, proof of income, proof of damage to property, etc).
Investigating the Injured Person
Now it’s time for the adjuster assigned to the claim to investigate the injured person. The adjuster will look into your past, especially to see if you’ve ever filed a personal injury claim. They will review your social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) to find out if you are lying about your injuries. The adjuster will do everything possible to find something in your past or in your personal life that can either lead to the claim being denied or the payout being lowered. The adjuster will ask to speak with you. They might also ask you to record a statement about the accident that led to your injuries. Never provide a recorded or written statement to the insurance company without the help of a personal injury attorney.
Contact an Erie Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a motor vehicle accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party, or their insurance company, to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. represent clients injured because of car accidents in Erie, Millcreek, Harborcreek, Fairview, Meadville and throughout PA. Call 814-273-2010 or email us to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2525 W 26th St. Erie, PA 16506 as well as offices in Meadville and North East, PA.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.