It is estimated that about 70% of all car accident claims get evaluated by Colossus.
Technology today, is omnipresent. It has made its way into each and every aspect of all businesses. The software and applications used for various business functions have made life much simpler and has enabled us to do away with the limitations of humans, especially in terms of errors. Even in the insurance industry software applications are used extensively, even for calculating claims. In this post, our St. Louis car wreck lawyer explains how this may impact your settlement.
Allstate uses Colossus for claims evaluation
‘Colossus’ is one such software that is used by Allstate to help Allstate adjusters with claims evaluation. It helps adjusters determine and evaluate their insurer and claimant losses. Colossus, in fact, is used by a number of other well-known insurance companies as well.
While most insurance companies claim that the software is only part of their accident claims evaluation process, estimations reveal that about 70% of all car accident claims get evaluated by Colossus. Moreover, reports reveal that Allstate heavily relies on Colossus. New adjusters in the company do not have much leeway in deviating from the software. While technologically, it allows for a speedier claims evaluation process for an injured claimant who has suffered damage, many accident injury lawyers think that this automation might not factor in the ‘whole picture’ when it comes to a car accident injury and deliver incorrect classification.
The short comings of Colossus
The software, like most software, evaluates claims on the basis of pre-determined data inputs or points, and the more the points the better!
Therefore, for example,
- A claimant receives more points if there is more information provided in the medical records.
- Claims with high numbers of hospitalizations or admissions (not simply ER visits), get rated higher.
The problem with software is that it falls short due to its own data entry limitations. So, if a doctor does not list each and every thing in the medical chart, the software will determine that a claimant was “less injured”. Similarly, an injured claimant with one hospitalization and a number of follow-up visits or rehabilitation visits to the ER will likely get lesser points.
Another concern with Colossus software is that it limits the entry of diagnostic codes to 7. Therefore, what happens if a doctor diagnosis an injured claimant with a brain injury and it is entered as diagnosis number #8?
The software can also tend to classify diagnosis and injury types incorrectly. For example, it classifies all types of leg fractures under one group, whereas, all types of leg fractures are different, with some being more complicated and requiring longer duration of rehabilitation, and different permanent outcomes.
Finally, software is run by a computer. It therefore obviously lacks the human touch. It cannot determine or evaluate factors such as pain, suffering and emotional loss, emotional stress due to disability, effects of job loss, loss of ability to live a normal life, enjoy a sport, a permanent scar, etc. One small factor might be small for one person, but might make a huge difference for another. These shortcomings can greatly affect the claims evaluation and the resultant settlement that the claimant receives.
How can an accident injury attorney help?
Our experienced attorney understand how Colossus works. We understand submitting a claims report to an insurance company known for using the software and can help in obtaining a rightful settlement amount.