The majority of personal injury cases are due to car accidents. Most of the time, these cases are settled before going to trial. If you are a victim of a car accident, it is wise to make sure that you receive just compensation for all the troubles you had to go through after the accident happened.
Below are some useful tips that will help you secure a fair settlement:
Collect Relevant Evidence
After getting yourself to safety, it is vital to document every detail that will help you settle your car accident claims. It would help if you took pictures of the area, the damage of your car, and even your injuries. Besides that, you should see a doctor for your injuries and file a police report.
If there are any witnesses, it is advisable to get their contact information just in case. Moreover, if you got into an accident in an at-fault state, don’t forget to ask for the other driver’s insurance information- without it, you won’t be able to file your claim.
Contact Your Car Insurance Provider
You should call your insurance company as soon as possible. Some insurance companies would deny a claim if it took the victim too long to inform them of the accident. Furthermore, contacting your insurance company as early as possible will help you relay the situation accurately since it is still fresh from your memory.
The insurance company will need all the relevant information they can get to help you in the process.
Have a Certain Amount in Mind
If you don’t have any idea how car accident settlements work, you can ask financial experts to evaluate your possible compensation. After learning from the experts, you should have a minimum specific amount in mind before negotiation starts.
Doing so will make it easier for you to adjust to the insurance adjuster’s offer. Hence, if the insurance adjuster offers a lesser amount, you may ask a higher amount within the range of your minimum expected amount.
Don’t Settle Right Away
It is expected that insurance adjusters will start off with a low amount. This kind of action is a negotiating tactic that will help them check if you know what you are doing. Therefore, it is imperative not to settle too quickly. Always make sure that the figure is not too low and is reasonable to compensate for your troubles.
Ask the Insurance Adjuster to Explain the Low Offer
In case the insurance adjuster offers a low figure, ask for their justification. Doing so will force them to explain why the possible compensation is low. After receiving their explanation, jot down the factors that made the offer low and respond to each. If your reasons are strong enough to counter-attack the insurance adjuster’s justifications, it will be possible for them to offer a just settlement that you can both agree on.
Highlight Your Strong Points
It is vital to emphasize your advantage in supporting your claim during negotiations. Explain thoroughly why a specific amount is reasonable after being involved in a car crash. It might also help show the insurance adjuster the evidence you had collected and further explain the sufferings you had to go through.
For example, you can show them the picture of the devastating status of your car during the crash or the severe injuries you had to endure. As such, you need to do what you have to do to get the reasonable settlement you deserve.
Know When to Hire a Lawyer
If negotiations don’t go well as planned, it is wise to hire a car accident lawyer. There are law firms specializing in car accidents. You just need to find them and ask for their help. If you live in a big state like California, you can find accident attorneys in Los Angeles, San Diego, and all other cities belonging to the state. Even in smaller states, like Georgia, you can find accident injury lawyers in Duluth and all other areas in Georgia. It is not difficult to find personal injury lawyers who can help you with your car accident settlement, who is local and accessible to you.
Takeaway
Although the damages received after being involved in a car crash can never really be equated to any amount of money, it is crucial to secure a fair car accident settlement. This to compensate for the loss of livelihood or inability to make a living due to injuries sustained. Moreover, the process of going through a settlement requires patience and will put your bargaining skills up to the test. But at the end of the day, getting what you deserve is worth fighting for.
