If a driver who has the company’s auto insurance coverage caused your crash, you want to know, “what is the State Farm settlement process?” State Farm handles car accident claims similarly to other companies. You will need to gather evidence, prove fault and damages, and fight for a fair payout.
If you suffered injuries in a crash, you can protect your rights by enlisting a personal injury attorney from our firm before beginning the claims process. We will contact State Farm to report the accident, navigate the process, and negotiate for a settlement that compensates you justly.
Getting Started With Your State Farm Insurance Claim
State Farm asks policyholders to report an accident as quickly as possible. However, if the at-fault driver has not done so, you may contact the insurer to begin your claim before this occurs. This will not affect your case.
If you have our lawyer on your side, we will contact State Farm for you to begin your claim. After we do, State Farm assigns the crash to a claims adjuster who will:
- Review what happened
- Ask all involved parties for a recorded interview
- Gather additional information
While you may want to work with an attorney on your case, State Farm even has an online portal to begin the claims process if you decide to move forward on your own.
What If I Have Collision Coverage from State Farm?
If you have full coverage insurance from State Farm, you may want to file a claim based on your policy and let them deal with the other driver’s insurance company. You will need to pay a deductible, although there may be a refund of this later.
State Farm will then handle your claim and seek to recover their expenses paid to you through a process known as subrogation. As a policyholder, you can use the State Farm app or website to file your claim, upload evidence, get more information about your claim, and more.
Just because the insurance company represents you does not mean you will get a fair settlement, though. You may want to work with an attorney from our firm who will be on your side and fight for your best interests instead.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 537-8185
What to Expect As the Insurer Investigates Your Case
As a part of building your claim, State Farm may ask you to make a recorded statement about the accident. Most personal injury law firms recommend that accident victims decline this request. They cannot deny your claim because you say no, but they could use the information you give during this interview to reduce or deny your claim.
Once they review your case, the insurance adjuster will issue a decision to make an offer or deny your claim. If they make a settlement offer, it will likely be much lower than the estimated damages you suffered. You need to know the value of your medical expenses, vehicle repair costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages before you can determine if an offer is fair.
Managing Settlement Offers and Negotiations
In the vast majority of cases, you should not accept the initial settlement offer from State Farm or any other insurance company. Instead, demand that they compensate you fairly based on your expenses and losses.
If you are uncertain about the value of your case, how to negotiate a higher payout, or have other concerns, you may want to speak with an attorney. Our personal injury lawyercan explain your rights, value your case, and handle this process for you.
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When do I Need to Sue the Driver Who Caused My Crash?
Most car accident cases never go to trial, but it is relatively common that a victim needs to sue the at-fault driver to get a just settlement offer from their insurer. If this occurs in your case, you will want an attorney on your side if you do not already have one.
Our lawyer can not only help you build a strong argument but manage your lawsuit and all communication with State Farm. Most personal injury firms work based on a contingency fee, meaning you do not have to pay a retainer or other fees up front.
If your lawyer recommends suing the driver, you will need to meet the applicable deadlines. While there are exceptions that could shorten this period, generally, you may have:
- Alabama: Up to two years under Ala. Code § 6-2-38
- Arkansas: Up to three years under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105
- Louisiana: Up to one year under La. Civ. Code Art. 3492
- Mississippi: Up to three years under Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49
Talk to Our Team at Morris Bart, LLC, for Free
The Morris Bart law office near you can review your case for free today. Our team provides these consultations to answer your questions and help you understand what you can do to pursue damages in your case. We can handle your State Farm claim or car accident lawsuit for you. The areas we serve include Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Connect with our contingency fee firm today by calling (800) 537-8185. A team member is available to speak with you now.
Questions?Call (800) 537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.