Car accident claims can be settled in one of two ways: through litigation or through a settlement. Litigation is often expensive, time consuming and stressful. Therefore, most car accident victims want to settle their car accident claims before trial. Below are some tips on how to settle a car accident claim so that you are appropriately reimbursed for your injuries and so that you can avoid trial.
Don’t Talk to Your Insurance Adjuster Without Your Lawyer
Insurance companies make money by taking in more in premiums than they pay out in claim settlements. Thus, insurance companies maximize their profits by denying claims or offering very low settlement amounts.
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company and have a responsibility to act in the best interest of their employer – not in the interest of the injured victim. For this reason, it is important not to trust your insurance adjuster. Insurance adjusters use many tactics, such as trying to be your friend or making promises that they cannot keep, in order to get you to say things that will later damage your case.
While you must cooperate with the insurance company in order to settle a claim, there is no legal requirement that you cooperate without the assistance of counsel. Let your lawyer handle the insurance company and talk to the insurance adjuster. Personal injury lawyers understand the insurance company games and will work hard to settle your car accident claim for a fair and equitable amount.
Keep Good Records
You can help your lawyer settle your claim for fair and equitable damages by keeping good records of what happened at the accident scene and of all of your expenses incurred as a result of your accident. Insurance companies often respond well to attorney presented data. So, be sure to provide your lawyer with:
- Pictures, notes and other documentation from the accident scene;
- Copies of all of your medical bills and out of pocket expenses;
- Documentation of your lost wages, if you were unable to work due to your injuries; and
- A medical release so that your lawyer can talk to your doctor about how long your injuries will cause you pain, impact your ability to work, and cost you money for future treatment or rehabilitation.
This information will provide your lawyer with concrete facts with which to negotiate a settlement on your behalf.
Get Legal Help
It is important that you are represented by a lawyer in your car accident settlement negotiations. Your lawyer knows how to play the insurance company’s game and how to present your case in a way that maximizes your chances of a good settlement. The insurance company has lawyers working hard to prevent your recovery – you need a lawyer to balance the position of the insurance company’s legal team and to fight hard for your car accident settlement.
