After you file a claim with the insurance company, your Taylorville personal injury attorney will explain how a typical claims process works. Here is a brief summary of the process.

Assignment of the Claim

Immediately after a claim is reported, it is assigned to a specific adjuster. Then, the adjuster begins the investigation. During this investigation, your Taylorville personal injury attorney can explain that the insurance adjuster will attempt to discover which party was responsible for the accident. He or she may inquire into whether the responsible party was insured and current on premium payments.

Duties of the Adjuster

A Taylorville personal injury attorney can explain that adjusters perform the investigation by going out in the field or through the telephone. They may make unannounced visits and take statements from witnesses. Insurance adjusters may investigate the scene of the accident, take pictures and create diagrams. They may also obtain police reports regarding the accident.

Analysis

The adjuster may look at certain information more closely. He or she will look for red flags, including low-impact collisions, pre-existing injuries or certain types of medical complaints or treatment. Additionally, adjusters look into the plaintiff’s previous record of claims. In some cases, the file undergoes a medical audit in which an independent evaluator estimates the value of a claim based on similar claims. The adjuster will compare the plaintiff’s statement of the accident and the surrounding circumstances with the objective evidence.

If you would like to learn more about the investigation of claims, contact a Taylorville personal injury lawyer at McCarthy Rowden & Baker by calling (800) 373-6050.