How to File an Insurance Claim After an Accident: Complete Process Guide

After an accident, you may file claims with multiple insurers: your own company for collision/PIP/uninsured motorist coverage, and the at-fault driver's company for liability damages.

Each claim has different rules and deadlines. Your own policy may require prompt notice. Third-party liability claims must be filed within the statute of limitations. Missing deadlines can forfeit your rights.

Insurance adjusters investigate claims and determine payouts. Remember: their job is to minimize what the company pays. They are friendly but not your friend - everything you say may be used to reduce your claim.

Adjusters may ask for recorded statements, request medical authorizations, or offer quick settlements. Before agreeing to anything, understand that these tactics often harm your case.

Organize all documentation: police report, medical records and bills, proof of lost wages, photos of damage and injuries, witness statements, and correspondence with insurers.

Keep a pain journal documenting how injuries affect daily life. Save all receipts for accident-related expenses. This evidence supports your claim for both economic and non-economic damages.

Consider hiring an attorney if: you have significant injuries, liability is disputed, multiple parties are involved, the insurer is acting in bad faith, or you receive a low settlement offer.

Attorneys handle all communication with insurers, gather evidence, calculate full damages, negotiate settlements, and take cases to trial when necessary. Most work on contingency with no upfront costs.