Dealing with insurance companies after an accident can be one of the most frustrating parts of the recovery process. If you’re in Georgia, you might already know that the system can be complex, and insurance adjusters are often more focused on protecting their bottom line than helping you. We’re here to guide you through this challenging time at Horst Shewmaker.
Whether you’re filing a claim, negotiating a settlement, or trying to make sense of all the fine print, we’ll help you understand your options and take the right steps to protect your interests. Our team is dedicated to helping car accident victims in Alpharetta, the Atlanta metro area, and across Georgia.
Contact our Alpharetta car accident lawyers today for a free case review.
How to Deal With Insurance Companies After a Car Accident
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company Promptly
Reporting a car accident to your insurance company is crucial, even if the accident seems minor. Georgia is an at-fault state, which means the party responsible for the accident is liable for the damages. Most policies require you to report accidents as soon as possible. Coverage could be denied if you don’t notify your insurance company promptly.
You’ll need to provide your insurance company with basic information about the accident: that you were in a car wreck, where the collision happened, and what injuries and losses you experienced. It’s wise to let your insurance company know you were in a wreck but wait to speak to an insurance adjuster until you’ve consulted an attorney. A lawyer can guide you on what you should say and what information could hurt your case.
Don’t Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
After a car accident, the other driver’s insurance company will probably call you with questions. The other driver’s insurance adjuster might seem friendly and helpful, but their primary job is to protect their company’s bottom line—not to look out for you. Anything you say could be used to downplay your injuries or shift blame onto you.
That’s why it’s best to let an experienced attorney handle communications with the other driver’s insurer.
Don’t Admit Fault
When you’re talking to your insurance company—or the other driver’s insurance company—one of the most important things to remember is to avoid admitting fault. It’s natural to feel shaken or even apologetic after an accident but saying something like “I’m sorry, it was my fault” can complicate your case, even if you’re not entirely to blame.
When determining who’s at fault for a car crash, insurance companies and courts consider evidence like police reports, witness statements, and accident scene details. Admitting fault can harm your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement
Don’t agree to give a recorded statement to either insurance company without first consulting a lawyer. While insurance adjusters may come across as friendly and eager to “help settle things quickly,” their primary goal is to minimize the amount their company has to pay.
Recorded statements can easily be taken out of context or used against you later in the claims process. Something as simple as saying you “didn’t see the other car” could be twisted to suggest you weren’t paying attention, even if the other driver was at fault. Protect yourself by politely declining to give any recorded statement until you’ve spoken to an attorney.
An experienced lawyer will guide you on how to communicate with insurers and can even handle those discussions for you, so you don’t have to stress about saying the wrong thing. They’ll know what information to share and what should be withheld to protect your case.
The Insurance Process After a Car Accident in Georgia
Navigating the insurance claims process after an auto accident can be tricky. Having a skilled personal injury lawyer on your side is critical.
Filing a Car Accident Claim
After a car accident in Georgia, one of the first steps in the claims process is filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Georgia follows an at-fault system, which means the driver responsible for the accident is liable for covering damages, including medical expenses, property damage, and other losses.
The Insurance Adjusters Investigate
Once you notify the at-fault driver’s insurer about the accident, they’ll assign an adjuster to your case who will investigate what happened. This investigation often involves reviewing the police report, speaking with both drivers, and assessing the damage to your vehicle. Navigating the insurance claims process after an auto accident can be tricky.
Negotiating a Settlement
Insurance companies are in the business of minimizing payouts. If you accept their first settlement offer too quickly, you may be leaving a lot of money on the table—and you won’t be able to go back and renegotiate later.
An experienced car accident attorney knows how to push back against lowball offers and delay tactics that insurers sometimes use to pressure claimants into settling for less. Your lawyer can help you gather evidence, such as medical records and expert opinions, to strengthen your case and show why you deserve a higher payout.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Get Settlement Money After a Car Accident?
The time it takes to settle a car accident claim varies. Many are settled within a few months. However, more complex cases, such as those involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or multiple parties, can take a year or longer.
Once your car accident claim settles, receiving the settlement check generally takes 4 to 6 weeks after you and the insurance company have signed the settlement agreement.
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Georgia?
The average car accident settlement in Georgia usually ranges from $15,000 to $25,000, but settlement amounts can vary widely depending on injury severity and other factors.
What If I’m Partially at Fault for a Car Wreck?
You could still recover compensation if you share some blame for a car crash. Georgia has a modified comparative negligence law. This means you can recover damages if you are less than 50% at fault for the collision, but your compensation is reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 25% at fault and the total damages amount to $100,000, the payout would be $75,000.
What If the Other Driver is Uninsured or Underinsured?
The minimum auto insurance liability limits for Georgia drivers are:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage coverage
Insurance companies often issue policies with higher limits, which can provide more coverage for serious accidents.
UM/UIM coverage provides important protection if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. Uninsured motorist coverage (UM coverage) helps pay if you’re in a wreck with an uninsured driver. If the other driver’s policy limits are too low to pay all your medical bills and other losses, underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) can help pay the difference.
Insurance companies must offer UM/UIM coverage to Georgia drivers, but purchasing this coverage is optional if you don’t have a car loan.
Contact Our Georgia Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Review Today
Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re injured. Having a lawyer handle your car accident claim lets you focus on what’s most important—recovering and getting back to your normal life.
Our experienced Georgia accident attorneys at Horst Shewmaker are here to help you. We will communicate with insurers and aggressively advocate for you in settlement negotiations. If the insurance company doesn’t offer a fair settlement, our personal injury attorneys are prepared to take your case to court.
