One of the most stressful things after a car accident is having to speak to insurance companies. Most of your energy has already been spent on recovering from your injuries, so you likely have very little left to handle a compensation claim.
If the responsible party was insured by the United Services Automobile Association (USAA), the claims process might feel even more daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with their procedures. As a provider that primarily serves military personnel and veterans, many people may not encounter USAA as often, leading to uncertainty.
Fortunately, we’re looking at what dealing with USAA after your Texas car accident is like and how a car accident lawyer in Houston can help to simplify the process.
How Does the USAA Claims Process Work After a Car Accident?
USAA aims to make the auto insurance claims process as simple as possible. They outline four main steps when filing a new claim, which are as follows:
- Report the accident: You must report the accident to the insurance company, which can be done over the phone or online.
- USAA investigation: The insurance company will conduct its own investigation, looking at the evidence available to determine liability. USAA notes that this investigation usually takes place within 14 days of the claim being filed.
- Damages estimation: The insurer will assess vehicle damage, reported injuries, repair estimates, and more to determine the potential value of the claim.
- Settlement: If the claim is approved, payment will be negotiated and then issued to cover losses.
While this process is made to be straightforward, insurance claims are rarely smooth sailing. You often have to deal with disputes over liability and the overall value of the claim, making it much harder to come to a fair conclusion. That’s why many people turn to experienced attorneys for legal guidance.
Challenges When Dealing With USAA After Your Texas Car Accident
Even though the USAA claims process is very structured, there are still some roadblocks that could get in the way of your settlement. Depending on the details of the car accident, you may experience delays in the investigation due to missing documentation or liability disputes. This could potentially take months to resolve, adding more stress to your situation.
There may also be disagreements about the value of your claim. If you’ve experienced ongoing medical treatment, lost income, vehicle damage, emotional stress, and other losses related to the car accident, USAA’s initial settlement may not seem like enough.
A Houston personal injury lawyer can handle negotiations on your behalf to help you get the right amount of compensation.
(310) 526-8383How an Attorney Can Strengthen Your USAA Claim
When dealing with USAA after a car accident in Texas, there are several ways a lawyer can help you. They’ll work with you to get you the compensation you’re entitled to, while securing your legal rights. We’ve outlined more ways an attorney can support your claim below.
Filing Your Claim
If you contact a car accident lawyer early, they can help with filing your claim. They’ll make sure every box is ticked and that all the correct information is filled out so that you don’t have to worry about minor errors or missing a deadline.
A Fair Investigation
USAA will conduct its own investigation into the accident in order to determine liability and calculate the damages. However, insurance companies don’t always have a full picture of what happened and can sometimes interpret the facts in a way that leads them to offer less than what a full claim is worth.
While this may not happen with USAA, it’s still a good idea to have someone on your side who can offer a more balanced investigation. A skilled lawyer will review all evidence and provide accurate estimates and advice based on the facts.
Preserving Evidence
As well as reviewing evidence, an attorney can preserve evidence. For example, if the car accident was caught on surveillance footage or a dashcam, your lawyer can secure the footage before it gets overwritten. They’ll also preserve photographs, witness testimony, medical reports, vehicle damage reports, and more.
Negotiating with USAA
USAA will provide you with a quote for the damages you’ve incurred based on their own assessment. But this estimate may not reflect the full extent of your losses. In this situation, a lawyer can present evidence and negotiate the settlement amount so that you come away with an accurate payout.
Filing a Lawsuit
If negotiations fall through and you’re unhappy with USAA’s offer, you may choose to file a lawsuit. Having a local attorney representing you in court puts you in a much better position.
They already know how the legal system in Texas works and can confidently present your claim in front of a judge or jury, while fighting any liability disputes. Learn more about how the car accident lawsuit process works in our guide.
Get Help with Your USAA Claim from Omega Law Group
Omega Law Group puts clients first. Always. We know exactly how to deal with USAA after your Texas car accident and can support you throughout the claims process.
Our car accident lawyers are ready to review your case and discuss your legal options in further detail. We can speak to USAA on your behalf and handle all negotiations, so that you get the fairest settlement possible. And if you decide to pursue legal action, we’ll be right there with you.
Contact Omega Law Group today and schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can help your case.
