Dealing with the aftermath of a Texas car accident can feel stressful and overwhelming. Adding the State Farm accident claim process into the mix can make matters even more complicated.
Unfortunately, however, car accidents involving insurance claims have become all too common. Thus, it is important to know what to expect so you can better protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
Need assistance navigating the car accident insurance claims process? Give the attorneys at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP a call today to see how our team can help you recover.
Checklist: 3 Key Steps to Take After Your Texas Car Accident
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 6,756,000 police-reported motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2019. Of these, nearly 2 million resulted in injuries, and more than 33,000 were fatal.
Even the most cautious drivers on Texas roads are not impervious to involvement in an accident. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 1 reportable crash occurred on Texas roadways every 56 seconds.
If you are not sure what to do after a car accident in Texas, make sure to follow these 3 steps.
1. Gather Any Available Evidence at the Scene
After pulling over to check for any injuries to yourself or any passengers, one important thing to do after an accident is to start collecting any available evidence and information.
Often, some of the best evidence to support your claim will be right there at the scene of the accident. For example, crucial information and materials you might be able to collect include:
- Photos of the scene and any property damage;
- Identification and insurance information of other parties to the accident; and
- Statements and contact information of any eyewitnesses to the accident.
Of course, you can always try to collect this type of information later. But it may be unavailable or less reliable later on.
2. Don’t Feel Like You Have to Accept State Farm’s First Offer
Another important thing to remember is that the insurance company—State Farm or any other insurance company—is not on your side. In fact, it is State Farm’s goal to pay out as little as possible in an effort to maximize their own profits.
Therefore, when it comes to dealing with the insurance claims process, never feel like you have to accept the first offer State Farm provides.
Instead, contact an experienced attorney who can help you fight to maximize your recovery.
You can always attempt to negotiate your claim on your own by calling State Farm’s claims phone number at 800-SF-CLAIM. However, if you have not dealt with their tactics before and do not know what to expect, the odds can be stacked against you.
Contacting an experienced insurance claims attorney can help balance the scales and give you the best chance at a fair claims process.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Help with State Farm’s Claim Process?
While you do not necessarily have to retain a State Farm accident claim attorney, having one in your corner can be a huge benefit as you navigate State Farm’s Claim process.
Calling State Farm’s phone number on your own can only get you so far, but an accident attorney can help you gather evidence to support your claim, negotiate with the insurance company, and advocate for your rights at every step along the way.
At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, we are serious about obtaining justice for our client’s injuries. We offer free consultations and will never take a fee unless we are able to recover compensation for you.
Contact Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP today to discuss your case and start the fight for the compensation you deserve.
Joshua Lee believes in aggressive, tough advocacy and a client-centered approach to every case. Joshua draws from a wide body of experiences and a robust understanding of the law. Joshua graduated from the New York University School of Law in New York City, which is considered among the best law schools in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely nothing. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you owe us nothing unless we win your case, whether that’s in the form of a settlement or a judgment. We offer a free consultation to anyone who thinks they might have a personal injury case.
We suggest speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Something to keep in mind is that all personal injury cases need evidence, and that evidence often degrades over time. As a result, many jurisdictions have a strict statute of limitations (or time limit) for filing a claim. In Texas, most victims have only two years from the date of injury to file, so it is important to start building your case immediately.
In the state of Texas, employers have the option of filing for workers’ compensation insurance. This policy covers them in case an employee suffers an injury on the job. However, some employers choose to be non-subscribers, which means they opt out of this coverage and lose certain legal protections. This means that if an injured employee sues them after a work injury, they may end up paying more damages. In addition, they may be liable for pain and suffering, punitive damages, and medical benefits. Learn more about non-subscriber injuries here.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) keeps track of employers that report their non-subscriber status. Currently, you can find a spreadsheet of every reported non-subscriber business in Texas under TDI’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage verification page. This includes the business address, business name, and filing dates. Learn more here.
There are a few different ways to manage your bills while waiting for your case to settle. For medical treatment, it is common to arrange a lien with the doctor’s office or hospital. A medical lien is essentially an agreement to pay back your treatment costs with a portion of your potential settlement. Another option for miscellaneous bills, such as rent, utilities, or other essential expenses, is lawsuit funding. Much like a lien, you pay these loans back with a portion of your settlement or judgment. However, these loans have high interest rates and fees, so be sure to discuss this option with your attorney.