No one desires to get involved in a car accident that could lead to the loss of lives. Nonetheless, the car accident injury database shows that the nature of this accident is recurrent and sometimes unavoidable. So, to be safe from losing it all, it is advisable to have car insurance.
Car accidents and insurance can be tricky when it boils down to the settlement. Most insurance companies will tend to offer a minimal amount, less than you claim. But, with the proper knowledge and the help of a legal adviser, you can negotiate for a higher bid.
What is Car Accident Settlement?
A car accident settlement is a contract between the insurance company and the victim. This payment downplays the need to seek legal justice and go to trial. It also saves litigation expenses and several hours spent in the courtroom.
But, to negotiate insurance settlement totaled car, you should be knowledgeable about personal injury claims. This knowledge should accompany the assistance of car accident lawyers. These professionals are knowledgeable about the intricacies of car accidents.
These litigators are also vast with personal injury and how to claim car accident insurance. Plus, these individuals know the proper documents to present as pieces of evidence. They can also help with documentation and accurate incident recording.
How to Claim Car Accident Insurance?
Besides going to the insurance company and demanding compensation, there are several steps to follow, which include;
1. File a Complaint Immediately After the Car Accident
After the occurrence of a car accident, inform the insurance company immediately. It is vital to make a claim immediately. With this immediate report, you can recollect the intricacies of the accident more accurately.
When conversing with your insurance provider, it is important to mention every detail about the accident. Each piece will justify the amount you desire as compensation for damages.
You could record the accident on your phone if opening an immediate claim is impossible. Likewise, recording the events of the accident on paper is also crucial. Whatever the case, regard this step as an urgent matter.
2. Have Detailed Accounts of the Accident
From the first step, we see how important it is to keep accurate car accident records. But, this record should be in a chronological manner. It should also contain a police report and a doctor’s report if you had treatment after the accident.
Your records should also include photographs of the incident and the bills containing the amount for the auto repair. All these items count as pieces of evidence when negotiating insurance settlement.
3. Estimate a Reasonable Settlement
Before visiting your insurance agency, you should note a vital car accident insurance process. This process involves stating how much you believe your claim is worth. To figure this out, you need to sum up the following:
- Amount used to fix or buy a new car.
- Medical charges.
- Pain or discomfort inflected due to the accident.
- Charges incurred due to a long-term illness or permanent disability.
- Wages you lost due to injuries that resulted in an inability to work.
- Cost of any other valuable item lost or damaged during the car accident.
4. Forward a Comprehensive Request Letter to the Insurance Company
The next important step is sending a demand or request letter to the insurance company. This letter should contain accounts of the car accident, the damages incurred, the medical treatment, the current state of your health, and so on.
After this information, you should state how much you desire as monetary compensation. But you should note that the insurance company will offer less than your request. Nonetheless, you should demand an amount between twenty-five to a hundred percent extra for what you will agree as compensation.
To help in constructing this demand letter, you could contact a car accident litigator. Employing the services of these legal experts will save you all the stress and time.
5. Decline the Initial Offer
When going through how to claim car accident insurance, it is important to decline the insurance company’s initial offer. It is vital to note that insurance companies are profit driven. They will offer to pay a minute fraction of your claim to achieve this. This move is a test to see if you are conversant with the worth of your claim.
To avoid receiving a menial payment, attending meetings with the insurance company with a car accident advocate is advisable.
These vast, knowledgeable lawyers on personal injury will communicate the worth of your claim. Also, going along with your legal adviser sends a message to the insurance provider that you don’t intend to settle for less and mean serious business.
After receiving the first offer and reviewing it with your legal advisor, ask the insurance adjuster to defend the menial amount concerning your claim. Next, you address each point in a letter stating why you cannot accept the offer.
Nonetheless, if the initial offer is considerable yet small, you can ask for an amount lower than your first claim in the reply letter. If this counterclaim is reasonable, the insurance company will be willing to compromise.
How Long Does it Take for Settlement of Car Accident?
Due to the complex nature of a car accident, deciding who is at fault and the severity of the incident, getting a car accident settlement might be lengthy. Nonetheless, it takes a few months from filing the complaint to receiving the car settlement.
This time frame can increase if the victim sustains severe injuries or permanent disabilities. Also, if the case goes to court, the litigation process might take an average of two years before reaching the desired settlement.
Conclusion
When negotiating a higher settlement in a car accident, it is vital to seek legal counsel. But, before negotiation can occur, insurance should cover your vehicle. With the steps highlighted above, getting a higher settlement is achievable. Plus, it saves you time and energy from all the litigation rigors