When you are involved in a car accident, it is not just your health at stake. Your finances can take a big hit, especially if your injuries are severe and the vehicle is badly damaged. Car insurance protects policyholders from these financial losses when involved in car accidents.
Mercury Insurance Services LLC is a large carrier that provides driver coverage in many states. If you need to file a claim to recover compensation for car accident damages, you must know how the filing process works and how our Chicago auto insurance claim lawyers can help.
Mercury Insurance as a Regional Insurer
Although Mercury Insurance is a large insurer, it does not cover all 50 states. Mercury Insurance is headquartered in California and is a primary carrier in the Golden State. Drivers in Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and Florida can also acquire auto accident coverage from Mercury Insurance.
Mercury Insurance is considered financially stable enough to pay out most claims and compares favorably to many other insurance companies regarding pricing and coverage options, including those outside of California.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
Mercury Insurance offers many coverage options for auto policyholders.
- Liability protection protects drivers if they are liable for damages in accidents they cause.
- Collision protection covers property damage repair or replacement costs, no matter who is at fault for the accident.
- Comprehensive coverage can pay for damage from unexpected events, such as bad weather, falling objects, vandalism, theft, or animals.
- If you incur medical expenses for injuries after an accident, medical payment policies through Mercury Insurance can cover those costs.
- You can also pay for personal injury protection, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and rental car insurance.
Steps to File a Car Accident Claim With Mercury
If you get into a car accident and Mercury Insurance is your carrier, you must file a claim to recover compensation for damages, depending on your policy terms. Here are the steps to file your claim and ensure a fair settlement.
Contact Mercury Immediately
You should contact Mercury Insurance Services LLC before you leave the accident scene. A Mercury Insurance representative may have questions to ask upfront about the accident, the other drivers involved, and other details.
This phone call is simply to inform Mercury Insurance of the accident. The representative can also provide assistance regarding the following steps to take.
If you contact the carrier after leaving the scene, it will be harder to provide them with the necessary information. You can file your claim by phone or through the Mercury Insurance website.
Gather Necessary Information
The success of your claim depends on providing a lot of information. You will need details regarding the accident’s location, date, and time to file your claim. You should collect information from all parties involved in the collision, including drivers, passengers, and witnesses.
This information will include names, contact details, insurance information, license plate numbers, and VINs. The more data you gather, the easier it will be for the Mercury Insurance adjuster to investigate your claim and process it quickly.
Provide Documentation
Documentation will support your version of events. One of the most important documents after a motor vehicle collision is the police report. Obtaining a copy of the official accident report will be vital for your insurance claim.
Other documentation supporting your compensation claim includes a medical record, vehicle repair estimates, photographs of the scene, surveillance footage, vehicle repair receipts, recorded witness statements, and medical bills.
Work With a Mercury Claims Adjuster
Once you report an accident to Mercury Insurance, an individual adjuster will be assigned to your case. They will investigate the accident, assess your damages, and determine a fair offer for your payout.
Cooperation and communication are necessary to move your claim along and promptly provide the information they ask for. They can also provide assistance if you have questions. This professional will be the primary point of contact at Mercury Insurance throughout the claims process.
Mercury’s Claims Process
Now that you have submitted your claim to Mercury Insurance Services LLC and provided all necessary documentation, the adjuster will begin processing your case. Here are the steps involved in the claims process so you can track the status of your claim.
Initial Investigation
The Mercury Insurance representative will initiate an investigation of the accident. Typically, this is done to verify liability for the collision. If their investigation finds you are at fault for the accident, it could affect your insurance payout. The adjuster will look at the documentation you provided and conduct their research to determine how the accident occurred.
Often, the adjuster will ask for further information or clarification regarding the details of your claim, so be prepared to answer their questions truthfully and promptly.
Negotiating a Settlement
Mercury Insurance Services LLC will offer a payout based on accident liability, damages, and your policy terms. You can negotiate for a larger settlement if you deserve more compensation.
However, you may need to support your argument for more money with additional evidence. This step often trips up policyholders because they need assistance negotiating for more money against a powerful carrier like Mercury Insurance.
Going to Trial
Your case may go to trial if you and Mercury Insurance cannot reach a fair settlement. In this process, you will bring your arguments before a judge and maybe even a jury to defend your compensation claim. This will draw out the process and result in a longer wait for your settlement, but it could be the only solution to ensure fair compensation.
Tips for Filing a Successful Claim
You deserve to be compensated if you have spent money on vehicle repairs or injury treatments after an auto accident. Some strategies to increase your chances of fair compensation include documenting everything about the accident, taking pictures of your injuries, researching your policy terms to understand what is covered, and recording all medical treatment.
Additionally, follow up with the Mercury Insurance Services LLC adjuster frequently and consider hiring an attorney for assistance.
Seek Legal Advice if Necessary
It may be necessary to seek legal advice if you are concerned about your Mercury Insurance claim. Perhaps the process is taking longer than expected, or you think the initial offer needs to be higher. Consulting a personal injury attorney for assistance with your insurance claim can protect your rights as a Mercury Insurance policyholder.
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer
Contacting our Chicago auto accident lawyers to handle your accident claim with Mercury Insurance is wise. We understand all the tactics insurance adjusters will use to avoid fair payouts, including delays or unjust rejections. We can support your interests in the following ways.
Legal Expertise
After a car accident, most people do not understand their fundamental rights regarding insurance coverage. With an experienced attorney providing assistance, your rights will be protected. We will guide you through the claims process to help you earn fair compensation from Mercury Insurance for your car accident losses.
Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is key when Mercury Insurance makes its initial offer. Many policyholders are prone to accept these first offers, even if they do not cover all the losses. If you feel you deserve more, negotiating with an insurance giant can be intimidating. Our lawyers are not intimidated by the same tactics. We have seen it all and know how to negotiate for our clients’ needs.
Advocacy
As a citizen of the United States, you have individual rights. As a policyholder under Mercury Insurance, you also have specific privileges. Even if you don’t understand all these rights, your lawyer will. As a result, we can advocate for your rights and maximize compensation from your Mercury Insurance claim to cover damages like injuries and repairs.
Secure Expert Legal Counsel!
If you need legal assistance when filing your claim with Mercury Insurance, the team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is ready to help. We believe in being accessible to potential clients, so we offer a free consultation where you can ask questions about your insurance claim before deciding.
Call our Chicago personal injury law office today at 888-424-5757 or complete the contact form to request your free consultation.