When a person is involved in an accident in Tennessee, they will have to deal with an insurance company to get the compensation they deserve. The insurance company has a method of determining the amount of money they will pay for a claim. This decision is usually done by the insurance company’s adjuster. Knowing how this is done can help a person who is deciding to accept or reject a settlement offer.
Case Investigation
The insurance adjuster will carefully investigate the details of the claim. They will want to know all the facts associated with the accident. An insurance adjuster will want to have as much information as any lawyers involved with the case. They will try and obtain information from multiple sources. They may research the backgrounds of people involved in an accident. It is possible for an insurance adjuster to eventually obtain more information about a particular case than the attorneys associated with it.
Insured’s View
An insurance adjuster will want to discover what the insured person has to say about the accident and exactly what occurred. They will be certain to obtain written police reports. An adjuster will also obtain copies of accident reports written by the insured about the accident and sent to the insurance company and more.
Documentation
After an accident, the insurance adjuster will begin the process of obtaining documentation. They may write the plaintiff or an attorney representing the plaintiff. The written correspondence will explain the reason for the contact and request copies of all necessary documentation relating to the accident. Some types of requested documentation could be proof of earnings, tax returns, medical bills, medical records and more. The adjuster will carefully examine the documents. If it appears the plaintiff could have injuries prior to the accident or documented complaints about a part of their body that allegedly was injured during the accident, it will be noted. All medical treatment a plaintiff has in the past will also be examined. Should a plaintiff be self-employed and experience a loss of income, the adjuster will request business records to document the lost income.
Review
Once an insurance adjuster has obtained all the necessary information, they will begin the review process. All of the information will be carefully examined. They are required to read every medical record, bill and more. They need to determine if any information is missing. Should a plaintiff make it difficult to interview or obtain records, it will be noted. An insurance adjuster will not respond to any settlement demand or even make a settlement offer until they obtain all the necessary information. Until this happens, they won’t be able to determine the value of the case.
Settlement Determination
Once an insurance adjuster has all the necessary information and has carefully reviewed everything, they will begin the process of determining the amount of the insurance payment. It will be up to them to decide if a plaintiff will win should the case goes to trial and how much a jury might award the plaintiff. The adjuster will then determine what should be paid based on what is required by the plaintiff’s insurance policy. They will come up an exact calculation based on the documentation for lost earning, medical bills and more. A determination of what is to be paid for damages that can’t be calculated like pain and suffering will made, and a monetary value will be assigned.
