How you file a car accident claim with a car insurance company like Geico can greatly affect how much you receive to help with recovery. The tactics you fall for can also decide the size of your settlement check.
You’ll want to include all of your evidence, all of your recovery bills, demand what’s fair, and beware of certain insurance tactics meant to rob you of injury support.
Where to File Against an At-Fault Driver With Geico
After being struck by a reckless driver on a busy road like Truxtun Avenue, figuring out the other driver’s insurance provider will be an important step. You’ll want to alert your own car insurance company first, even if you weren’t to blame for what happened.
If the other driver is covered by Geico, you’ll want to go to their Geico Claims Center when you are ready to file a claim.
- Click “report a claim”
- Select “report an incident”
- Click “I had an incident with a Geico customer”
- Fill in the driver’s last name and policy number
You can also call Geico at (800)-841-3000.
Car Insurance Tactics to Steer Clear Of
Taking on a giant insurance company, like Geico, can leave accident victims facing off against multiple insurance adjusters. Victims might also deal with several common tactics routinely used in the car insurance industry.
- Quick Settlement: Insurers may send over a lightning-fast car insurance settlement. This is usually a “lowball offer.” It’s sent over first thing before victims know how expensive their injuries will be and how long they’ll need care. It’s also sent over before victims can consider talking to a lawyer. Once the agreement is signed, victims aren’t allowed to go back and seek more support later.
- Delayed Settlement: Insurers could also slow things way down. They want victims to watch their medical bills grow, getting more and more desperate for support while they can’t work. A lawyer can call them out on these tactics and even report Geico to the California Department of Insurance.
- Twisting Your Words: Insurance adjusters can twist anything you said at the accident scene to the other driver. They can also twist the words you offer in a recorded phone call. These comments may reduce your claim or allow Geico to reject it.
- “Forgetting” to Tell You About All Benefits: Insurers don’t have to inform victims of all the support they could earn. They also won’t tell victims when they can ask for more.
See: How long do car insurance companies have to respond to an accident claim?
When You Should Contact a Lawyer
If you are in a collision with only minor injuries, or just a wrecked car, you may be fine handling your claim yourself. But when you suffer serious injuries and another driver was at fault, it’s a good time to speak with a Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyer.
More serious injuries mean higher medical bills, and this makes insurers nervous. They look for ways to turn the blame around on you. They can also question the diagnosis of your injuries and the length of your recovery.
Maison Law fully investigates your claim, collects all evidence, and uses it to halt these tactics. Your lawyer can often secure much more in support. This can be much more than you could secure by handling a claim yourself.
Steps to Take at the Scene of a Geico Accident
Whether you handle your case yourself or work with an attorney, your actions at the scene of the accident can greatly improve your chances of success.
When you file with Geico, you’ll want to include the strongest evidence possible. That evidence is often found minutes after a collision.
You could call 911 first and request an ambulance if anyone is hurt. Then, once Bakersfield police arrive and it’s safe, you should focus on collecting these and other details:
- Get photos. Show the damage to cars, the debris and skid marks on the pavement, and any visible injuries you have.
- Swap driver’s license and insurance information with the other driver. Talk to witnesses. Get their contact information.
- Note if there are surveillance cameras or traffic cams nearby. See if any other drivers had dash cams rolling.
You’ll have this evidence ready if you file a claim yourself. If you work with a lawyer, you can hand this vital information over to your attorney. Your attorney will combine these details with the results of their own investigation.
Discuss Your Accident Claim with a Bakersfield Car Accident Attorney for FREE
If you were in a serious accident and you feel the insurance company isn’t offering you enough for recovery, contact Maison Law for a free case consultation. If your claim was rejected by Geico, bring your case to us and let’s go over your options for an appeal.
There’s no obligation for your meeting. If you do need our help to command more from Geico, you don’t have to worry about having the money to hire Maison Law. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our lawyer’s fee comes out of the settlement money that a car insurance company must hand over to you.
