Anderson Injury Lawyers | August 23, 2023 | Car Accidents
Allstate has been an insurance company in business since 1931 and comprises about 10% of the insurance industry in the United States. If you are involved in a car accident, you may have to deal with Allstate.
Every insurance company is different, so it’s helpful to know what you can expect and effective ways of dealing with the specific company. Here, we reveal how to file an insurance claim through Allstate and offer tips on maximizing your recovery.
How To Begin the Claims Process With Allstate
Texas is an at-fault state for car insurance. This means that the driver who is responsible for causing the crash is also responsible for its financial impact. If you were injured in a collision caused by someone else’s negligence, you will make a claim with their insurance company.
You typically begin this process with Allstate by contacting the main customer service number at 1-800-255-7828. Alternatively, you can create a guest account on the Allstate website. When reporting the accident, keep the information brief and stick to the facts. Write down the claim number the adjuster gives you so you can track your claim.
Tips For Dealing With Allstate During the Car Accident Claims Process
Here are some tips to use when dealing with Allstate and its agents:
Report the Accident
Even if the accident doesn’t seem that major, report it anyway. First, it’s the law. Any car crash in Texas involving injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more must be reported. Second, it will create a written record of the incident in case the at-fault driver wants to try to deny that it happened later. A law enforcement officer can respond after you call 911.
File Your Claim Promptly
Try not to delay making your claim. The insurance company may try to use a delay as an indication that your injuries are not as serious as you claim or are due to some other cause than the car accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention promptly so your injuries can be properly diagnosed and documented. Follow your doctor’s orders and keep all of your medical records.
Insurance companies sometimes send claimants medical release forms, pretending to help them. But this tactic is usually so they can get more medical records than necessary to try to find a pre-existing condition to blame your injuries on and deny your claim.
By keeping your own records and providing only what is necessary to process the claim, you can control the information the insurance company has for you.
Realize That the Adjuster Is Not Your Friend
With a slogan like “you’re in good hands,” you might think that the adjuster cares about you and wants to help. However, keep in mind that they work for the insurance company – the multi-billion dollar corporation that stays in business by raking in more in premiums than they dole out in claims. Their interest is only to protect the insurance company, not you.
Allstate insurance adjusters are trained to get useful information from claimants that they can then use against them.
Here are some additional ways you can protect your claim:
- Do not give a recorded statement. You are not required to provide the other driver’s insurance company with a recorded statement.
- Do not admit fault. Avoid even innocent statements like “I’m sorry.”
- Do not answer questions that are not asked or provide details that are not necessary.
- Don’t guess about something you don’t know. Saying “I don’t know” is perfectly acceptable.
- Do not sign any documents provided by the insurance company without first seeking legal counsel.
Also, be careful about what you post online since some adjusters may try to troll your social media accounts to get details about your case.
Consult an Experienced Dallas Car Accident Attorney Before Negotiating With an Allstate Insurance Agent
Sometimes, insurance companies intentionally delay claims to get the claimant to give up or accept a low settlement out of desperation. This is bad faith and prohibited conduct.
Even when such tactics are not employed, it can be stressful dealing with an insurance company while trying to recover from an injury. A personal injury lawyer can handle your claim and unburden you from this stress.
If you were recently involved in a collision and need to file a claim with Allstate, a Dallas car accident lawyer can help.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our car accident lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
