If your plan is to file a third-party insurance claim against a negligent party’s insurance company, you may also want to know what to anticipate throughout the claims process. Keep in mind that car insurance claims can take a long time to settle, making it critical to file a claim quickly to begin the process and seek a settlement as soon as possible. The following are a few of the main steps of a car insurance claim, which an experienced car accident lawyer may be able to help navigate: 1. Reaching out to the Insurance Company The first step will entail contacting the liable party’s insurance carrier. You or your attorney would indicate that you wish to file a claim against the policyholder and provide specific details about the accident. 2. The Insurance Company May Choose to Investigate the Claim Some cases may not involve an investigation from insurers. They may agree that the policyholder is liable and agree to a settlement. However, this is rarely how the case settles, as the insurance company is more likely to begin investigating the claim. This is often the case when a large settlement amount is at stake, and the company risks losing a lot of money on a payout. During the investigation, the insurance company will look into the details of the accident and review the evidence, which will help determine fault. It will also look into the claimant to determine whether he or she is truthful about the claim and the nature of the injuries and damages sustained. Throughout the investigation, it’s important to avoid certain interactions that might compromise your case. While the adjuster the insurer assigns to your case may appear friendly and eager to help you recover a fair settlement, the adjuster will look for any reason to reduce the settlement amount or deny your claim altogether. These risks are why it’s important to avoid making any potentially problematic statements during negotiations, such as admitting fault or being inconsistent with your story. You’ll also want to avoid posting on social media until the investigation completes, seeing as a simple post may indicate that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim them to be. A car accident attorney may be able to help ensure you minimize the risk of compromising your case by preparing statements and providing advice throughout the claims process. 3. Receiving or Disputing the Settlement Offer If you succeed with your claim, the third-party insurance company will pay out the settlement you deserve, and you can use this to cover medical expenses and other costs. However, the first settlement offer may not be what your case is worth, and you might be unaware of exactly how much you’re eligible to recover. If you or your attorney believe the insurer’s settlement is too low, you can continue negotiating or dispute the initial judgment that the insurance company made. If negotiations fail to recover the settlement you deserve, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the negligent party.