Progressive Insurance accident claims are necessary after one of the company’s policyholders causes an accident in a state with fault-based collision laws. If Progressive covers the driver who caused your vehicle crash, you will seek and hopefully recover compensation based on their liability policy.
It would be within your best interest to speak with a car accident attorney to discuss your case before taking action on your own. Progressive and other auto insurance companies often use tricks and tactics to reduce their payout to crash victims. An attorney can handle your claim and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf.
Filing a Liability Claim With Progressive
Progressive is one of the nation’s largest insurance companies. Due to so many people choosing Progressive as their auto liability coverage, many accident victims end up pursuing claims based on Progressive’s policies. Most car accident attorneys are very familiar with their claims process and how they negotiate settlements.
Building Your Claim
Developing a strong case and recovering compensation for your damages begins immediately after the accident. If your injuries allow, you should gather evidence at the scene. This may include:
- Contact information for all other drivers, occupants, and witnesses
- Photos of the scene and each vehicle, including the accident damage
- A picture of the front and back of each driver’s insurance card
- The police officer’s name and badge number
- The police report number (if available)
Once you receive the necessary medical care you need and your injuries are stable, this would be the ideal time to contact an attorney who can handle the rest of the claims process on your behalf. Most attorneys provide free initial consultations.
Filing a Claim and Navigating the Claims Process
Once you have evidence to support your claim, you can submit your demand for compensation to Progressive. The company will assign an adjuster, or claim representative, to your case. This representative will then investigate what happened and seek evidence to show their policyholder is not liable.
The insurance company may use tactics meant to minimize the payout owed to you, such as denying that your injuries occurred in the accident or taking other steps to downplay your injuries. This is common with all insurers.
If the representative decides that the driver insured by Progressive is responsible for the crash, they will prepare a settlement offer based on your claim.
Recovering a Fair Payout for Your Claim
In the majority of claims, the initial offer prepared by the insurance company is not appropriate based on the victim’s damages. Again, this is true of all insurers. Your attorney will have a range of fair settlement values in mind, so they can reject any lowball offers and counteroffer with an appropriate value. These negotiations will likely continue until they reach a fair agreement.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
What If Progressive Is My Auto Insurer?
If you have Progressive auto insurance, you should be able to report your accident and provide the basic facts of the case by calling (800) 537-8185 or contacting your local agent. The company likely requires this as part of your coverage contract.
Under some circumstances, you may want to go ahead and file a claim with your insurer. While you will have to pay a deductible, you may be able to recover money for car repairs and medical bills faster. Progressive will then seek reimbursement of their money (and your deductible) through subrogation with the insurance company that covers the at-fault driver.
If you have an attorney, you can ask if this is a good idea in your case. If you have collision coverage, you can even file online with Progressive.
What If I Have to Sue to Get the Money I Need?
Working with a car accident lawyer can help you decide when to consider a lawsuit based on your crash. While most Progressive claims settle without going to trial, it may take filing a lawsuit against their policyholder to show them you are serious.
Your attorney will be able to determine if you need to sue, who to sue, and how to manage the process. They will ensure that you meet all applicable deadlines and are ready for trial if an appropriate settlement cannot be reached.
If you are handling your claim on your own, it is within your best interest to speak with an attorney quickly to make sure that you understand the timeline of your case. If you cannot negotiate a settlement before time runs out, you could lose your right to sue. Deadlines in the Gulf South vary from one year in Louisiana (La. Civ. Code Art. 3492) to three years in Mississippi (Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49).
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Speak With a Morris Bart, LLC Team Member Now for Free
You can speak with a car accident attorney from the Morris Bart law firm today to learn more about your legal rights and options. We provide free consultations for victims hurt in car accidents within our four-state service area: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. We are also a contingency fee law firm, which means that you will not pay any upfront costs. You will only be responsible for paying us if/when your case has been compensated.
Let us help you get the compensation you deserve. Call (800) 537-8185 to get started today.
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