Car accident victims have the right to seek compensation from those at fault for their losses, such as medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Understanding how to deal with an insurance company after being involved in a car accident is of utmost importance, as this will ensure that you receive adequate compensation.
Talk to an Attorney
Car accident victims often feel helpless after their collision, from relief that they are still alive to concerns over injuries sustained and how to pay medical bills and damage repairs. Missteps made could impede any efforts at recovering fair compensation from those responsible for their crash’s insurance company.
One mistake victims can make is waiting to speak with an attorney until after having already spoken to their insurance representative. While medical evaluations and understanding their injuries is important, speaking with an experienced legal professional is also vitally important – they can analyze a person’s case based on current laws and provide advice for exploring all available legal avenues.
Experienced lawyers are vital in helping victims recover full compensation for all damages sustained, not only medical costs and property damage but also lost income, out-of-pocket expenses and physical and mental pain and suffering.
Victims without attorneys often receive lowball settlement offers from insurance providers, since insurance representatives work on behalf of those at fault and have financial incentives to minimize claims values. Experienced lawyers are often capable of recognizing these tactics and defusing them accordingly.
Attorneys can also help their clients understand the interaction of health and car insurance coverages, which could give them additional funds to cover losses. Furthermore, they can advise whether to file a lawsuit.
Individuals injured in car accidents who have experienced serious or life-altering injuries should reach out to an attorney immediately. They can schedule a free consultation meeting with an experienced lawyer and discuss all aspects of their case during this meeting; during which all relevant documents such as police reports, medical bills and receipts related to their crash should be brought.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After an accident, it’s essential that you notify your insurer as quickly as possible. Nearly all auto policies require that a crash be reported; otherwise it could void your coverage. Even if the incident wasn’t your responsibility, reporting it nonetheless. In many cases, talking with an adjuster and providing specific details can be daunting and stressful; having legal guidance by your side can ensure you don’t say something which could later be used against your claim.
When communicating with an insurance company, it’s essential that you be courteous and provide only what’s necessary. They may ask questions regarding the accident; try not to argue or voice opinions that contradict what the insurance company wants to know. They need information such as how it happened, who was involved, type of vehicle involved, names of all parties involved as well as dashcam footage to aid investigation as well as all records related to medical treatment and repair bills related to it.
Your insurance company will determine who is at fault based on state laws and the facts of the case, but both drivers may share some responsibility for the accident. If you have been injured in an accident, hiring an attorney could ensure you receive a fair settlement offer from them.
An attorney can also help with other aspects of your case, such as gathering evidence from witnesses or proving the other driver caused property damage by their negligence. If this can be established, then your own insurance will cover damages less your deductible payment.
If you have been seriously injured in an accident, an attorney can negotiate with the other party’s insurer to recover compensation for your injuries and repairs, along with its value as well. They can also file suit against those responsible if necessary.
File a Claim
Filing a claim may take more time than expected due to evidence being key in car accident cases. This includes photographs and videos as well as any witness information you can gather as well as medical records, police reports or any other relevant documents related to your crash.
Experienced lawyers can be invaluable when filing a claim. By gathering all available evidence and using it to your advantage, they can increase the chance that full compensation for losses and injuries will be given.
If you are involved in an accident, it’s essential that you contact your insurance provider right away. Your agent can assist in filing a first-party claim for property damage and medical costs as soon as possible, or help file a third-party suit against the negligent driver’s insurer to recover damages for physical and psychological injuries sustained from their actions.
As time limits are imposed by law on how long you have to file and pursue an accident claim and obtain an acceptable settlement or verdict, filing immediately can be vitally important. These statutes of limitation range from as little as one year in Tennessee up to six years in Maine.
Once you contact your insurance company, they will review all related documentation to establish fault. They will also examine any injuries sustained and damage sustained to both parties involved as well as conduct an in-depth physical exam with medical experts and sometimes submit test results from them as part of this assessment process.
IF the insurance company determines that you were at fault, they will offer a settlement based on the nature and severity of your injury – for instance a brain injury can have both physical and psychological implications that must be considered when making this determination.
Although it may be tempting to try and save money by handling your car accident case on your own, this could be an expensive misstep. Consult an experienced attorney instead in order to maximize the benefits from your claim.
File a Lawsuit
After being involved in a car accident, many victims will file claims with both their own and the at-fault driver’s insurers to seek property damage compensation. They may also file third party claims with both companies seeking medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering claims from both parties involved. In many states both sides work through pre-trial steps in an attempt to reach an agreement before going to trial; this process may take months or even a year until a judge sets a date.
As your claim progresses, it is essential that you document both your injuries and losses. This may involve writing down what occurred, taking photos of the scene and injuries sustained, and getting testimony from medical providers regarding impacts, treatment options and expected recovery times.
If the insurer denies your claim or attempts to drive down your injury settlement, filing a lawsuit may be your only recourse. An experienced lawyer can help assess the true value of your case and negotiate with them to get you fair compensation from their side. There are even cases of seven figure settlements for TBI claims, but you need to hire a great law firm for that.
Insurance companies frequently employ bad faith tactics in an attempt to settle claims at low or no settlement rates, making legal assistance an essential asset when seeking damages from other motorists. To maximize the chance of success when filing claims against others, always work alongside an experienced lawyer in pursuing damages from those at fault.
Your attorney can arrange the review of electronic data related to the collision. This may include cellphone records, video surveillance footage and event data recorders (“black boxes”) that could show evidence that proves the defendant was texting or distracted before causing an accident.
Keep going with medical treatments to demonstrate your commitment and likelihood of full recovery; this will also assist your attorney in proving the extent of your injuries and losses. Lastly, avoid posting about the crash or your recovery on social media; this information could be used against you in court proceedings.
