An accident that happens due to someone else’s negligence and carelessness can prove to be a life-changing moment for any individual.
An auto accident doesn’t only damage the victim physically and mentally, but also financially. Financial damages, if left unresolved, can snowball, leading to mental stress, which can further deteriorate the health of the victim. At Kirakosian Law, our team of car accident lawyers in Los Angeles is ready to help fight insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve.
Thus, claiming for financial damages is generally the first step in any auto accident lawsuit.
However, recovering damages isn’t as easy as it seems. When you’re seeking compensation for an injury after an accident, chances are you’ll be dealing with an insurance company. For instance, if you get into a car accident, you’ll probably be making the settlement claim with the liable party’s car insurance company.
However, insurance companies generally don’t make it easy for the victims filing claims.
Generally, the insurance companies employ a team of professional litigators that try their best to either fully dissolve the victims’ claims or pay those victims as little possible. Insurance companies know that victims who represent themselves may not know all of their legal rights.
Having a professional attorney file the claim on your behalf expedites the whole process makes it less cumbersome for you to claim compensation against the physical and psychological damages, and will help you settle for more than what the insurance company would pay if you tried to file the claim yourself.
In addition, the auto accident attorneys also gather case-related pieces of evidence, including the medical records, bills, and witness recordings, to make a solid case for you, enhancing your chances to come out with a larger settlement.
Role of Insurance Companies & How Car Accident Attorneys Deal with Them
The insurance companies act as the block between you and the compensation amount you deserve. Let’s dive into the details to understand how the insurance companies try to manipulate the case, and how your professional auto accident attorney can help combat that.
Filing a Claim with Insurance
When an accident occurs, both parties will most likely contact their insurance carrier and inform them about the incident.
In the next phase, the insurance carriers conduct a thorough investigation on the incident to determine the party at fault and how much the injured party is owed, especially how much the insurance company will cover.
They will go above and beyond to prove the other party at fault and minimize the gravity of their client’s negligence to reduce the compensation amount.
This is when and where you require a professional auto accident attorney. These attorneys can negotiate with the insurance company, and prove to them the negligence of the at-fault party, as well as the severeness of the accident, to come to a settlement tht will cover all the damages faced by the victim.
Insurance Claims Adjuster
Once the claim is filed and all the pieces of evidence are collected, the insurance claims adjuster will attempt to get a hold of you. Since the adjuster works for the insurance company, they will leave no stone unturned to benefit the company and pay you as little as possible.
So, when you’re called, you should be cautious of how much information you share with them. It’s vital not to acknowledge any fault or divulge information that could indicate your fault, as that could affect the case’s outcome.
However, an experienced and qualified attorney will probably advise you to tell any insurance agent who contacts you that you are represented by an auto accident attorney and that you will not be answering any questions. An experienced auto accident attorney will completely handle the case on your behalf, take care of all the meetings, and proceed to get you what you deserve, and not what they offer.
Settlement Offer
When the insurance company realizes that their client is liable, they’ll try and offer you a settlement amount to close the case instead of taking the case further. At this stage, if you don’t have an attorney, the insurance company will most likely offer a low ball settlement as quickly as possible.
They’ll make you sign documents pertaining to the agreement, which will nullify all your future claims regarding the incident. For instance, if the injury demands you to pay more against the medical bills, you won’t be able to claim any compensation regarding the additional costs.
Therefore, consulting a well-versed auto accident attorney becomes critical to determine the actual worth of the case, which entails medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and the pain that has resulted from your accident.
A personal injury attorney can help you evaluate the physical, material, and psychological worth of the accident, including the lost wages. Once represented, your attorney will most likely send the at-fault party a demand letter. This letter will outline all of your pain and suffering as well as all medical records, medical bills, and other expenses, both past and future, that you have incurred or will incur. This sets your case up for further negotiations and, if these negotiations don’t amount to anything, your attorney will file a case against the at fault party in court.
The Negotiation Phase
When both parties have all the case-related facts and figures, next follows the negotiation phase.
In the light of the present evidence, such as medical records, witness statements, and physical evidence, the insurance company will provide you with an offer they find sufficient to cover damages incurred due to the accident.
It’s important to again understand that each insurance company employs a team of lawyers who help them devise strategies to narrow down the compensation amount.
Consequentially, it becomes significant to hire an experienced auto accident attorney who is familiar with their tricks and tactics, supports your claims, and prioritizes your interests. In addition, an attorney knows their language and can talk to them in the same tone and tuner to get you what you’re actually owed.
Reaching Settlement Agreements
Your auto accident attorney will go above and beyond to convince the defending insurance company to agree on your terms and pay what you truly deserve. If the other party agrees on the settlement condition offered by you, then and there, the insurance company will make you sign the agreement documents to avoid any future claim.
Avoiding court proceedings will benefit both parties since it’ll help them evade the long proceeding and regular visits, saving time, money, and energy for everyone. Thus, if the insurance company knows you are represented by an experienced personal injury attorney who has no problems taking cases to trial, the insurance company is likely to settle for close to what you want.
Peace of Mind
When you or someone you know is going through the excruciating phase of physical pain and mental agony resulting from an accident or someone else’s negligence, your auto accident attorneys will walk you through the process and handle everything to ensure your peace of mind.
Final Words
If you or someone you know ever gets injured due to someone’s negligence, you should seek legal help for compensation.
Our experienced auto accident attorneys at Kirakosian Law can help you overcome challenges and obstacles, as well as advocate for the best possible case settlement on your behalf. Call us today at (213) 986-5389 or request an appointment online.
*These blogs are meant purely for educational purposes. They contain only general information about legal matters. They are not legal advice, and should not be treated as such. If you have any specific questions about any legal matter you should consult with an attorney.