The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. is a top-rated, full-service Atlanta personal injury firm specializing in motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, and medical malpractice. Led by Attorney Darl Champion, The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. team has successfully litigated and settled over $150 million for clients all across Georgia. No case is too big or too small for us to review - and consultations are always free.
If you have been injured in a car accident and are considering filing a claim with State Farm, please use the following resources to speak with a car accident attorney in your area about your legal options:
- Car Accidents in Atlanta, GA
- Car Accidents in Marietta, GA
- Lawyer for Car Insurance Claims
- What is the Value of Your Claim?
- How to Get a Police Report After an Accident?
- What to do if You're in an Accident With an Uninsured Driver
Below you will find information on how to file a claim with State Farm insurance. If you have been injured in an accident, we highly recommend calling or chatting with our team so we can walk you through your options and evaluate if you should consider pursuing a personal injury claim. Please note, we are not in any way affiliated with State Farm insurance.
What You Should Do Immediately After a Car Accident
Before initiating the claims process, take the following steps at the accident scene, asking for help if necessary:
- Record Key Accident Details: Write down the exact date, time, and location of the collision. Include the name of the road, nearby intersections, traffic signals, weather conditions, and anything else that may help explain how the crash occurred.
- Report the Accident to Law Enforcement: Under Georgia law, you’re required to notify police if the crash resulted in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500. Request a copy of the police report. This document may include officer observations, driver statements, citations, and an initial summary of what happened.
- Obtain the At-Fault Driver’s Information: Collect the other driver’s full name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance policy information. Be sure to confirm that they are insured through State Farm and request their policy identification number directly if possible.
- Gather Witness Contact Information: If any third parties saw the accident occur, ask for their names and phone numbers. Neutral witness statements may help confirm your account of the collision and strengthen your claim if there’s a dispute.
- Document the Vehicles Involved: Record the year, make, model, color, vehicle license plate number, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for each vehicle. This helps verify which vehicles were damaged and involved in the collision.
- Take Photographs at the Scene: Use your phone or camera to capture clear images of all vehicle damage. Also photograph the crash site, including skid marks, debris, traffic signs, and any physical injuries that are visible.
- Keep All Medical Documentation: If you sought medical attention, retain copies of every record tied to your care. This includes emergency room paperwork, imaging results, doctor’s notes, prescriptions, and invoices for treatment.
Determining Liability & The Investigation After The Accident
One of the most important steps in any car accident claim is determining liability—that is, who is at fault for the accident. Georgia uses the modified comparative fault rule when determining fault in automobile accidents.
For example, if you are speeding down the road and someone negligently pulls out in front of you, State Farm may determine that it’s 90 percent the other driver’s fault, but that you are 10 percent at fault for speeding. The way that this factors into insurance claims is important to understand. Based on the percentage of fault, if any, the insurance company will deduct that ten percent from your determined settlement. However, you may not be able to recover damages if you are 50% or more at fault.
When State Farm has finished its investigation into your accident, they will assess the damages to the car and any other property damage, as well as any personal injury damages. In this step, there are two kinds of damages that are taken into account: general damages and special damages.
- General damages are specified as non-economic damages like pain and suffering, which can be difficult to calculate in terms of monetary value.
- Special damages are economic losses like property damage, wage loss, and medical expenses. These types of damages are often easier to accurately estimate.
The Importance Of Properly Communicating Your Assessment Of Damages
Unlike many other insurance companies, State Farm employs its own method of assessing monetary value to these damages. While this is a positive because that means your settlement is being calculated by a real person who is learning about your personal experience and not a machine, it becomes even more important that you are cautious when giving a statement to State Farm.
Because the extent of your injuries cannot be realized immediately following the auto accident, you should be careful not to minimize the severity of your injuries, as this can affect the resulting settlement you are offered.
Too often, the settlement offered is nowhere near the appropriate amount for covering medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In the event that this happens to you, you have a right to contact an attorney to help you towards receiving proper compensation. Of course, it is always best to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident, even before you get to the settlement process.
Who is State Farm Insurance?
State Farm is one of the largest personal insurance providers in the United States, best known for its extensive auto and homeowners insurance products. Founded in 1922 by George J. Mecherle, a retired farmer who believed rural drivers deserved better rates, the company has since grown into a national insurer with millions of active policies.
While State Farm is known for reliable coverage and wide availability, it also operates with the same priorities as most insurance companies: minimizing payouts and protecting its bottom line. When you file a personal injury claim with State Farm, their adjusters will review the claim with an eye toward limiting what the company pays.
Even if liability seems clear, you may still face challenges in recovering the full value of your medical bills, lost income, auto repair costs, or pain and suffering. Understanding how State Farm handles claims, and how to respond when they offer less than what your claim is worth, can make a difference in the outcome of your case.
To file an auto claim with State Farm, you have several options to choose from:
- You can call their 800-STATE-FARM number, use the Pocket Agent App, or contact your agent directly.
- If State Farm is your insurance company, you can also log into your current account and begin the process of submitting the claim.
Once you’ve submitted the claim, a State Farm representative will contact you to go over your claim. They will assign a claim number, explain the type of coverage available for your accident, and process the claim. You will then be able to track your claim through your online account, if you have one.
What if State Farm Denies Your Claim?
A denial from State Farm doesn’t mean your case is over. Insurance companies routinely reject valid claims or offer less than what your injuries and losses are worth. If you receive a denial letter, you’ll need to review the explanation and gather the information needed to challenge their decision.
Start by requesting a written reason for the denial, if one wasn’t already provided. Common justifications include policy exclusions, disputes over liability, or claims that your injuries aren’t related to the crash. Review your policy documents carefully to see how State Farm interpreted your coverage and where you may disagree with their findings.
Next, collect any records that may support your side. This may include updated medical records, photographs of your injuries or vehicle damage, witness statements, or an independent repair estimate. If the insurance company claimed that you were at fault, review the police report and any available video footage that may contradict their position.
You can appeal the denial through State Farm’s internal review process, but keep in mind that the same company reviewing your claim is also trying to limit payouts. That’s why many people choose to work with a personal injury attorney at this stage. An attorney can handle communication with State Farm, submit the correct documentation, and pursue litigation if necessary.
Delays and denials are common tactics used by insurance carriers to reduce liability. You have the right to challenge those tactics with evidence, documentation, and, if needed, legal action. Acting quickly after a denial helps preserve your claim and keeps the pressure on State Farm to respond.
Questions? Speak to a Marietta Car Accident Lawyer!
If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury from a car accident, you have the right to contact an attorney who can go over your case and determine the proper settlement value. You need to focus on your own recovery and let us take care of the rest. The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., can help you. Give us a call today and let’s get started on getting you the right settlement for your personal injury case.
