Most drivers have little to no understanding of the personal injury claims process until they have experienced the proceedings firsthand. If you suffered a permanent disability or if you lost a family member in a car accident, it is likely that the at-fault driver or the insurance company will deny liability due to the exorbitant...
How long should it take insurance adjuster to evaluate my claim?
You have completed your medical treatment, the attorney's office has collected your medical records and prepared a settlement demand package that has been mailed to the insurance company- How long should it take before your case is resolved and you have your settlement money in hand?
The simple answer to this question is that the time for the insurance company to evaluate your claim varies based upon several factors. I tell my clients that "normally, the insurance adjuster will evaluate your claim and make a first offer within 30 days after the demand package has been received." However, many times it takes longer that 30 days for several reasons, including the following:
1. The adjuster is behind on evaluating other cases that are in line before yours. Some insurance companies do not hire enough adjusters to handle claims and therefore the processing time is slower. The adjuster may have been out of the office on vacation or attending a seminar that has put them behind in their evaluations. Normally, the adjuster has to obtain approval from a manager for any settlement offer and if the manager is busy or out of the office then your offer will take longer.
2. You have received prior medical treatment for the same injured area of your body that was injured in the accident and that prompts the adjuster to ask your attorney to request your prior records. If this occurs, then the evaluation will be delayed by 60 days or more while your attorney requests more medical records.
3. Your adjuster is not the sharpest knife in the drawer and he or she is not efficient in resolving claims.
Auto accident claims can be slow at times and it is the job of the auto accident attorney to check with the insurance company when the process is slow to make sure the insurance company is moving as fast as possible.
Matt Troutman
What Is the Time Limit -Statute of Limitations- for Filing Personal Injury Claims?
The statute of limitations is essentially a time deadline by which you must file your personal injury claim. Statutes of limitations can vary depending on the type of case, and they are often different from state to state. You need to contact the Troutman Law Office quickly to make sure your claim is not lost because it was filed too ...
Matt Troutman
Man Faces DUI Charges after Causing Drunk Driving Crash That Injured One—Lexington Auto Accident Lawyer Insights
LEX 18 reports on a recent drunk driving accident that sent one person to the hospital. The crash occurred around 6 p.m. on HWY 210. According to authorities, the driver who allegedly caused the collision, Jeremiah Johnson, 25, ran a stop sign and hit another vehicle. That vehicle rolled several times, and its driver was...
Matt Troutman
What Are the Most Common Defective Products?
Almost any type of consumer product can have a dangerous defect. If you were injured while using a product for its intended purpose, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. There are several parties who may be liable for damages in a product liability lawsuit. Typically, the liable party is the designer, manufacturer,...
Matt Troutman
6 Signs You Are Suffering from PTSD after a Car Accident
Most people associate car accidents with broken bones and brain injuries, but the emotional trauma of a serious collision can be just as devastating as the physical wounds. Post-traumatic stress disorder can be debilitating, and car wrecks are the leading cause of PTSD in the United States. PTSD can affect your relationships, career, and enjoyment...
Matt Troutman
What Should I Do after a Hit and Run?
In the state of Kentucky, a conviction for hit and run comes with severe criminal penalties. Despite the consequences, though, hit and run accidents are alarmingly common. According to research from the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 20 percent of pedestrian deaths occur in hit and run collisions. It is important that all drivers and pedestrians...
Matt Troutman
Car “Full of Teenagers” Hits and Injures Motorcyclist in Lexington
WKYT reports on a recent collision that injured a motorcyclist. According to authorities, a car full of teenagers hit the motorcyclist at the intersection of South Limestone and Vine Street. The collision occurred at around 5:30 p.m. Police say the injuries are not life threatening. Teen Drivers Are More Likely to Crash When Transporting Passengers...
Matt Troutman
6 Parties Who You May Be Able to Sue after an 18-Wheeler Wreck
Tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds – or about 26 times more than the average passenger vehicle. It should come as no surprise, then, that passenger vehicle occupants account for the vast majority of fatalities in commercial truck accidents. In an effort to prevent 18-wheeler collisions, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented the...
Matt Troutman
What Is the Lifetime Cost of Medical Treatment for a Spinal Cord Injury?
A serious car accident can damage any part of your body, but an injury to your spinal cord can be particularly devastating. Even a minor loss of motor function can affect your career, relationships, and enjoyment in life. In addition to the emotional trauma, an SCI can cost a veritable fortune to treat. Research published...
Matt Troutman
What Questions Should I Ask My Attorney during the Initial Consultation?
The outcome of your personal injury case could have a profound impact on your financial stability and overall well-being. For example, if you do not recover enough compensation to pay for medical bills and the loss of future earning capacity, you may wind up in overwhelming debt. This is why it is so important to...