Experiencing a car accident is never convenient, and the situation can be twice as complicated if you find yourself in the position of having to file an insurance claim, particularly one based on an injury. How complex the task is can depend on a number of factors such as the type and severity of the accident, which driver was at fault, and finally, what insurance company you use. Contrary to what is becoming popular belief, all auto insurers are not created equal, and quality is measured not just on the coverage they offer… but on how easy they are to work with in the event of an accident. So, if you are insured by Geico and you need to make a Geico auto insurance claim, what do you need to know?
Filing a Claim… The Basics
If you’re wondering how to proceed in this specific situation, then you likely have been involved in a car accident with at least one injury as a result. Also, because you’re wondering how to build a case for your claim, chances are that the decision of who is at fault for the injuries is not completely set in stone. This can happen if the scene of the accident was complicated, or if the two drivers both have differing views of what took place, and witnesses are either unreliable or non-existent.
The point is that you’re faced with a medical bill and you believe Geico insurance should cover it, since it was caused by the accident. Once you’ve made that determination, it’s your job to file a claim for the cost of damages – your insurance company may be able to help you here – and it is at this point that you can start building your case from the ground up.
Building Your Case… Where to Start
Your success in building your Geico accident injury claim lies in one word: facts. Traffic court judges and insurance courts aren’t interested in emotions, opinions, or drawn conclusions; they want hard, solid evidence that will help determine what took place one way or the other. This is the point of building your case that requires the most work. You must carefully research:
- Read all reports written at the scene as well as afterwards looking for discrepancies or overlooked information that may be in your favor.
- Examine photos and diagrams of the scene.
- If the situation is extremely complex, you may even consider hiring an expert to help you interpret what you find, but just remember not to get bogged down.
Your claim should not be a statement of what you believe took place, but rather a series of facts that proves your version is likely what took place. Doing your research and having solid facts to back up your accident injury claim with Geico, or any insurer, will be the key to success.
Getting Help
It is always a good idea to get help when you are trying to build your case or convince your insurance company to see things your way. If you hire an experienced auto accident attorney, your lawyer can review your claim, help you gather evidence, talk to the insurance company on your behalf and otherwise make sure things go well.
