Why You Shouldn’t Handle Your Car Accident Case Alone
The aftermath of a car crash – especially one where you’ve been seriously injured – can be very overwhelming for many reasons. You may think that if the accident wasn’t your fault, you can handle the insurance claims on your own, but this often isn’t the best path forward. Negotiating a settlement with an insurance company is a complex legal process. It’s easy to miss a step or agree to something you shouldn’t. You should always talk to a car accident attorney to ensure you are getting you the fair compensation you deserve. You can almost always have this conversation with no cost or obligation.
Tactics Insurance Companies Use in an Injury Case
Many victims will file a claim with a car insurance company immediately and assume the insurance company will take care of the rest. But negotiating without a legal advocate can result in an unfair settlement. Insurance companies want to turn a profit. Their lawyers and adjusters are initially going to offer you the lowest settlement they can put forward, hoping you will accept. They will often insinuate that if you attempt to negotiate you may get nothing. If you want to get the fullest compensation to which you are entitled, you need an attorney who knows these tactics and can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Gathering Evidence
If you have been in a car accident, your case is only as strong as the evidence you can provide. You will use this evidence to prove your damages both to insurance adjusters, and later, if necessary, in court. When you are focused on recovering from serious injuries, it’s easy to feel like you don’t know where to start. A trusted car accident attorney can help. Your attorney has been through cases like this before and can conduct a thorough investigation and build a file of evidence to help support your claim. This may include video footage from cameras of nearby businesses or witnesses, accident scene photos, the accident report from the police, statements from witnesses, and your medical documentation (scans, tests, treatment notes, consultation reports and billing). If liability is disputed, your attorney can obtain accident reconstruction experts to help refute claims by the other party.
Understanding Your Rights
As previously mentioned, the insurance company is on the side of the insurance company bottom line – no one else. They are not going to tell you what you should do to maximize your settlement, what types of compensation you may be entitled to, or how to negotiate with them through the process. Their goal is to move you through as quickly and cheaply as possible. An experienced car accident attorney will help you understand all your rights and obtain the full compensation you are entitled to receive.
Negotiating a Settlement
After being involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you are entitled to compensation for your damages. This can include:
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Diminished future earning capacity
How much you obtain in compensation will depend on several factors, including the extent of your damages and how liability for the accident was determined. Your car accident lawyer can work with you to determine the monetary value for what you are owed, and will help negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company to cover all your damages.
Going to Court
Most car accident cases, even those resulting in serious injury, are settled out of court. However, in certain cases when a negotiation fails, filing a lawsuit may be necessary. In this case, you will need the help of an experienced car accident attorney. Your attorney will make sure you are ready for a trial and know what kind of questions you may be asked, the evidence that may be required, and everything else you will need for a successful outcome. Your attorney will make sure you understand all the court proceedings and will present testimony and other evidence on your behalf.
Going through a serious car accident is traumatic, but the settlement process doesn’t need to be. With an experienced car accident attorney on your side, you can focus on your recovery. If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, we’d like to help you get the compensation you need to move forward. Contact Arthur Law Firm (419) 782-9881 right away for a free consultation.