An investigation on a car accident claim is not so unusual. Car insurance companies, outside agencies that oversee insurance providers, and many others can partake in accident claim investigations. But, it is pretty distressing to hear that your claim is under investigation. It can mean that your claim goes through a significant delay or might not even go through.
Auto accident attorneys in Atlanta can provide insight into why a claim might go through an investigation. It can even help to understand if there was something specific in your statement that led to the investigation.
Why Would Someone Investigate a Car Accident Claim?
Nearly every car accident claim goes through some level of investigation. The car insurance providers involved will want to ensure that everything is on the up and up and that you’re not filing a fraudulent claim. But there are specific red flags that can set off an in-depth investigation that can seriously delay your case.
For example, if your roommate or sibling hits your car with their car in your driveway, it could look like it was planned. Additionally, if your wreck fulfills any of the criteria for common fraud situations, they would initiate a deeper investigation.
Now, you can also launch your own investigation. In the event that you don’t agree with the insurance providers’ determination, you can file a claim dispute. That claim dispute will lead to people going through the investigation, performing an independent investigation of your crash and your claim handling, and more. It’s difficult for people to understand that they have the option to have their claim investigated, especially when it seems like the insurance companies hold all the cars.
If your insurance company refuses to process your claim dispute, then you can go further and take it to the state agency. The Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commission is in charge of handling disputes between insurance providers and their clients.
Do Insurance Companies Investigate Claims?
Insurance companies do investigate claims, but those investigations are far from unbiased. In fact, when you look at it, it’s pretty clear that insurance investigators are looking for ways to get the company out of paying for the damage or claim.
The insurance adjusters and investigators will evaluate the different pieces of the collision. What they’re specifically looking for are fault and fraud. Fraud is fairly common, and insurance investigators are great at spotting it, mostly because people have been running the same scams for years. It’s not entirely clear how often they identify fraud, but it’s clear enough that it’s one of the things that they’re looking for when you take your car in for an appraisal.
Can You Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Atlanta to Investigate the Wreck?
You can bring on your own car accident attorney from Atlanta to do a thorough investigation. Your investigation can take a different approach. Typically an attorney will go through the investigation with a private or third-party. That means you have someone without an agenda looking at the crash, and the people involved. They may bring in numerous expects or employ someone to rebuild the crash.
Rebuilding the crash can help clear up any suspicions of fraud. Additionally, you can rely on a private investigator to review evidence objectively. The objective nature of an investigation and review will help establish the role of your vehicle and your actions in a wreck.
During the investigation process, it might seem extensive or even intrusive. But an investigation is almost always necessary. The result is that you should be able to showcase what happened and explain how it wasn’t your fault. Your insurance company’s investigation simply won’t be looking for those elements, and if anything, they’re looking for ways to get around paying anything at all.
If you have a dispute, then you need to take it over to the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioners Office. By filing a complaint and imploring them to do an investigation, you can get additional support.
Should You Call a Car Wreck Lawyer in Atlanta?
At The Weinstein Firm, we’ll find the right investigators to work your wreck and your claim. We work with some of the most thorough investigators around when it comes to finding out what happened with your wreck, and we won’t hesitate to continue to pursue your claim.
Personal injury attorneys in Atlanta often have to help people assess what their legal needs are and how to proceed. If you have any questions about if you need legal guidance, why a claim was denied, or why there is an investigation, then get help. Contact our Atlanta office to meet with an attorney from the Weinstein Firm today!
