Being involved in an accident or natural disaster can turn your life upside down. Depending on the severity of your injuries, it can be a struggle to return to your normal life. Aside from understanding your legal rights, you need to know what to do following your injuries.
Regardless of the disaster’s nature, you need to contact your insurance company to let them know about the accident and whether the terms of your policy cover the damage. You must also learn how long it will take to process the insurance claim and if the claim exceeds your deductible (the amount of loss you agree to pay before insurance kicks in).
Then seek legal help from an insurance lawyer to guide you on filing a claim and ensure that your insurance claims will be provided to you. You can find out more information here.
First Steps to Take in Case of a Disaster
Make sure that everyone is safe and accounted for, then call law enforcement for help. If you experience a disaster in your home, your first concern may be your home and possessions, but those things can wait. You must respond to all emergencies first.
Once the emergency is under control, assess the overall situation and damage. Get a general idea of what happened and what has been damaged. While doing this, you can take photographs as they may be helpful in proving your damage when filing your claim. A mistake homeowners often make is to clean up after the disaster before taking stock of what has been damaged.
Call a local damage or disaster assessment company to assess the damage and advise you on whether you should go forward with an insurance claim. Calling the disaster relief company first will reduce your stress. Then it’s time to give your insurance company a call. Do not wait too long, or you may risk your claim being denied.
Should I Seek Help From an Insurance Lawyer?
If your insurance claims are not being taken care of, you should seek legal assistance from an insurance lawyer. An experienced lawyer knows how to deal with bad faith insurance claims and will fight for your rights.
You should contact an insurance lawyer if:
- Your claim was denied
- The settlement is inaccurate
- Your policy is being misrepresented
- The insurance company is stalling
If you have any of these problems, you’re more likely to need legal help. Insurance coverage should protect you and your assets against expensive liabilities. So, you can speak with an experienced insurance lawyer before contacting your insurance company to make your claim and avoid hurting your case.
You must be aware that insurance companies will try to find numerous reasons or excuses to deny your claim or avoid paying your insurance benefits. An insurance lawyer will let you know if there is any chance of getting the insurance company to reverse its position. If they think you have a case, the lawyer will use their expertise to push the claim along and seek maximum recompense for your damages and injuries.
