Filing a Car Accident Claim With State Farm in Kansas City, Missouri

When you are involved in an car accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation from the other driver’s insurance provider. One of the first steps in recovering compensation for a car accident claim is filing an injury claim with the insurance company.

From my experience as a car accident lawyer representing injured persons, State Farm is a common insurance provider for Kansas and Missouri drivers. It has offered automobile insurance coverage since the 1920s and is a well-established insurance provider in the United States.

Initial Steps After a Kansas City Car Accident

If you are involved in a car crash, the first steps to take include:

  • Call 911 to report the accident and request assistance.how to settle car accident claim against state farm missouri kansas.jpg
  • Document the accident scene by taking photographs and videos, if possible. Ask eyewitnesses and bystanders for their names and contact information. 
  • Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries.
  • Notify your insurance agent of the car accident. 
  • Make notes about what happened immediately before and after the crash, while the memory is still fresh.
  • Do not sign any documents unless they are for the police without consulting a Kansas City car accident attorney.
  • Do not discuss the accident details with anyone except your attorney, including providing statements to the insurance company about how the accident occurred. 

Filing an Accident Claim with State Farm in Kansas City

If State Farm covers the other driver, you can file a car accident claim by contacting State Farm directly. Information that you will need when you contact State Farm to file the initial claim includes:

  • The insurance policy number and name of the at-fault driver (this information is typically available from your copy of the accident report or from the information you gather at the accident scene).
  • A copy of the accident report. If you do not have a copy, contact the police department to request a copy. The accident report provides key information you need, including the date, time, and location of the accident and all parties involved in the accident.
  • The name and contact information for your preferred repair shop, if you prefer to choose your own repair facility. 
  • Brief description of how the accident occurred. Be careful not to claim responsibility for causing the crash or discuss how the accident occurred until you have a chance to speak with a Kansas City car accident attorney. 
  • Brief description of your injuries and the damages to your vehicle. If you have not seen a doctor, you should do so as soon as possible to determine the extent of your injuries. Stating you are “fine” or you do not think your injuries are serious could negatively impact your claim. It is typically best to see a doctor immediately after an accident so that you understand your injuries before you contact State Farm.

State Farm allows you to file a claim online or by calling their claims office at 800-732-5246. If you are also insured through State Farm, your insurance agent can help you file a claim when you report the accident to your agent. 

If you file a claim online, make sure that you print out any confirmation pages and make notes regarding the claim number. When filing a claim by telephone, write down the date and time of your call, the claim number, the person’s name, and the contact number for additional information. 

Do You Need a Kansas City Accident Attorney to Negotiate a State Farm Accident Claim?

No, you are not legally required to hire an attorney to file or negotiate a car accident claim. However, it may be in your best interest to consult with an accident attorney in Kansas City before you file your claim. 

State Farm was just one of the insurance companies named in an investigative report by CNN in 2007 as one of the insurance companies that fight or deny accident claims. Insurance companies like State Farm are for-profit companies. Paying accident claims decreases their profit. Therefore, they may use a variety of methods to decrease the value of your claim, delay or deny payment of your accident claim.

An insurance adjuster may pressure you to provide a statement or sign a medical release form to obtain information the company can use to undervalue or deny your claim. The company could use a variety of methods to wear you down so that you accept a lower settlement offer just to receive some money for your claim.

Having an experienced attorney who understands insurance tactics used by large insurance companies like State Farm to maximize their profits can be helpful. Your attorney can fight allegations of pre-existing conditions and contributory negligence that are intended to cheat you out of the compensation that you deserve. 

It is usually a good idea to consult an attorney about any accident, but especially if you sustained severe injuries, are out of work, the case involves multiple parties, or the insurance company is implying you have some fault for the cause of the crash. 

Contact a Kansas City Accident Attorney for Help with State Farm Accident Claims 

The Law Office of Kevin J. McManus State Farm accident claims in Missouri and Kansas. We are familiar with the process of filing claims with State Farm and how State Farm treats accident claims. 

Call 816-203-0143 for a free consultation with a Kansas City car accident attorney to discuss your accident claim and how we can help you receive the compensation you deserve after a car accident. 

 

Kevin J. McManus
Connect with me
Kevin McManus is an accident injury and disability lawyer in Kansas City, MO, and Overland Park, KS