Navigating the Insurance Claims Process After a Spinal Cord Injury

• January 24, 2025
• Attorney David Mann
• Personal Injury

There is nothing more frustrating than dealing with insurance companies. They will do anything to deny a claim, and they have lawyers to make sure it happens.  That frustration can be worse after you have suffered a devastating injury, like one to your spinal cord.  Add to that the possibility that your injuries were the fault of a negligent person, and you are probably agitated beyond belief.

That is why we put together this blog post on navigating the insurance claims process after a spinal cord injury. We hope that, when you finish reading, you will be less frustrated.

Understanding Your Insurance Coverage

Before you file a claim, you should understand your current policy.  Because a high portion of personal injury cases happen in auto accidents, we will discuss automobile insurance in this blog post.

In Georgia, car owners are required to have automobile liability insurance. Generally, policies for car insurance exist so that, if you are in a car accident, your insurance will pay for any financial losses, like physical damage to the car or any bodily injury. But, if the accident is caused by the negligence of another person, they and their insurance company can be held responsible to compensate you for your injuries.  This happens because Georgia is considered an “at-fault” state, as opposed to a “no-fault” state, which requires drivers to file a claim with their own insurance company no matter who is at fault.

In addition, many drivers choose to purchase the absolute minimum amount of car insurance available, while others choose higher amounts.  How high their insurance limit is will determine how much their insurance company will pay out.

Steps in the Insurance Claims Process

In order to have your insurance claim go smoothly after a spinal cord injury, there are certain steps to take which we always tell our clients to follow.  Utilizing these steps will help your claim process go as smoothly as possible.  After making sure everyone is safe at the scene, steps in an insurance claim are:

• Call Your Insurance Company – Georgia law states that, in most instances, drivers are required to report a car accident to the police, but not necessarily to their insurance company.  However, if you don’t report the accident, you may forfeit any claims about the accident at a further date.  We always recommend contacting your insurance company immediately after an accident.
• Document the Scene – You should take as many pictures and videos as possible after the accident.  This will ensure that if there are any arguments about who was at fault, you will have evidence to submit to your attorney.
• Speak to Eyewitnesses – Get contact information from any eyewitnesses to the accident.  Your attorney may need to speak with them and obtain a signed affidavit.
• Keep All Documentation – Make sure you are organized and hold onto every document related to the accident.  This includes pictures, videos, police reports, and any medical reports if you needed to go to the emergency room.
• Speak to a Lawyer – If your accident did not involve another vehicle, you should submit all your paperwork to your insurance company.  However, if two or more cars were involved, you should speak to a knowledgeable and reputable attorney as soon as possible as you may have a claim against the other driver.

Common Challenges and Pitfalls to Avoid

When dealing with insurance companies, you should be wary about what you disclose.  Giving them too much information may give them a reason to deny a claim.  The important thing to remember about insurance companies is that they are in the business of making money and want to pay out as little money as possible.  With that in mind, here are a few common challenges and pitfalls to avoid when speaking with insurance companies:

• Say as little as possible – Do not overshare when speaking with insurance companies.  They can jump on one seemingly insignificant bit of information you provide and can use it as a catalyst to deny a claim.
• Stay off Social Media – If you claim to be injured because of a car accident and have filed a claim, it is wise to avoid posting anything on social media.  The insurance company may hire a private investigator who can troll your social media pages.  If you post a picture of yourself scuba diving in the Caribbean, but claim to be injured, they can use that against you.
• When all else fails, refer them to your lawyer – Your lawyer is the best barrier between you and the insurance companies.  If the insurance company contacts you for information about your case, let your lawyer handle it.

Tips for Maximizing Your Insurance Claim

Most of this blog post has dealt with ways that you can maximize your insurance claim.  However, there are other ways to make sure you get the best compensation for your injuries.

• Stay Organized – After an accident, it may be hard to concentrate on insurance claims.  However, it is an important part of the financial rehabilitation process.  One way to maximize an insurance claim is to make sure all of your paperwork is in order.  That way, when you need a specific document, you’ll have access to it.  If you have access to a scanner, that also may be a good way to organize your documents.
• Hire a Lawyer – Insurance companies pay top dollar for their lawyers.  You should also have a lawyer on your side, fighting for your rights.  Fight fire with fire.

We hope that this blog post on navigating the insurance claims process after a spinal cord injury has been helpful.

Contact the Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers at the Mann Law Firm Today

The Mann Law Firm has been helping clients in their personal injury claims for over 30 years.  We have experience going against tightfisted insurance companies and will do the same for you.  If you have been in an accident and don’t know who to turn to first, give us a call at (478) 742-3381.  At the Mann Law Firm, you always come first.