How Do I File a State Farm Bodily Injury Claim After a Car Accident?

Mission Personal Injury Lawyers | June 5, 2025 | Car Accidents

How Do I File a State Farm Bodily Injury Claim After a Car Accident?

Knowing how to file a State Farm bodily injury claim after a car accident is important if you’ve been hurt and the other driver was at fault. This type of claim can help you recover money for medical bills, missed work, and other losses related to your injuries. Having the right information and documents ready can make the process easier and improve your chances of a fair payout.

Start the Claim as Soon as Possible

State Farm allows you to file a claim online, through the mobile app, or by calling 800-SF-CLAIM (800-732-5246). If the other driver was at fault, you’ll be filing a third-party bodily injury claim against their liability coverage.

Before you contact State Farm, gather:

  • The other driver’s name, contact info, and insurance policy number
  • The police report or accident number
  • Photos of the accident scene, damage, and injuries
  • Contact information for any witnesses

Providing clear, early evidence strengthens your claim and can help prevent disputes over liability. For more guidance, you can review California’s minimum auto insurance requirements or visit State Farm’s claims page.

Understand State Farm’s Bodily Injury Coverage

Bodily injury liability coverage helps pay for injuries suffered by others when the insured driver is at fault. 

In California, the minimum State Farm bodily injury limits are:

  • $15,000 per person
  • $30,000 per accident

These are only the legal minimums—many policies carry higher limits. However, State Farm will only pay up to the policy’s limits even if your damages exceed that amount. If your losses are greater, you may need to pursue additional compensation from your own underinsured motorist coverage or by filing a lawsuit.

Cooperate, But Be Cautious When Speaking With Adjusters

Once you file, a State Farm adjuster will contact you to discuss the accident and review your injuries. 

Adjusters are trained to limit payouts, so while you should answer basic questions truthfully, avoid:

  • Admitting fault or partial responsibility
  • Speculating about injuries before a medical diagnosis
  • Giving recorded statements without legal advice

Always stick to facts. If you’ve hired a personal injury attorney, direct all communication through them to avoid undermining your case.

Document Your Injuries and Losses

You’ll need thorough documentation to get compensation for pain, suffering, and medical expenses. 

This includes:

  • Hospital and doctor bills
  • Medical records and diagnosis notes
  • Prescription receipts
  • Proof of missed work and lost wages
  • Mental health or therapy records, if applicable

This evidence helps calculate the full value of your damages and supports your claim. State Farm may use an internal injury settlement calculator to estimate your case value, but those formulas often undervalue pain and suffering or long-term effects.

Evaluate the Settlement Offer Carefully

State Farm might make an early offer, especially if liability is clear. However, initial offers are often low, sometimes barely covering medical bills.

Before accepting, consider:

  • Future treatment needs
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Non-economic damages like pain and suffering

Once you accept a bodily injury settlement, you waive the right to seek additional compensation. Review any offer with an attorney to avoid settling for less than your claim is worth.

How Much Does State Farm Pay for Bodily Injury?

Payouts vary widely based on the facts of each case. While there’s no official State Farm injury settlement calculator available to the public, adjusters use factors like:

  • Severity of injury
  • Length of treatment
  • Impact on your daily life
  • Medical expenses and documentation

Minor injury claims might settle for a few thousand dollars, while serious injuries involving surgery, permanent impairment, or emotional distress can lead to six-figure settlements if policy limits allow.

What If Your Damages Exceed the Policy Limits?

If your losses are higher than State Farm’s bodily injury limits, you have options:

  • File a claim under your own underinsured motorist policy
  • Negotiate a structured payment plan directly with the defendant
  • Sue the at-fault driver personally for the remaining amount

Policy limits are a ceiling on what the insurer will pay, not necessarily a cap on your overall legal recovery.

Contact the San Diego Personal Injury Lawyers at Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

If you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence, we can help you get the recovery you deserve. Contact our San Diego personal injury lawyers at Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today.

If you’ve been injured in San Diego or Chula Vista, please call Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer or contact us online.

We proudly serve San Diego County and throughout California.

Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – San Diego Office
2515 Camino del Rio S Suite 350, San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 777-5555

Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – Chula Vista Office
690 Otay Lakes Rd #130, Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 722-3032

We also serve the state of Texas. For legal assistance, contact our personal injury law office in El Paso today.

Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – El Paso Office
201 E Main Suite 106, El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 591-1000