How Does A Car Accident Lawsuit Work?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident near Atlanta, you probably have a lot of things to take care of.
You have likely experienced significant out-of-pocket expenses from medical bills and lost wages from missing work during your recovery process.
In addition to the physical injuries and financial strain you experience after a motor vehicle accident, you might experience pain and emotional suffering.
And then you have to worry about your car accident lawsuit or settlement.
If you weren’t at fault for your accident, you probably wondered how you will be compensated with a car accident settlement.
The car accident settlement process may be confusing, but your car accident claim will help recover compensation for your medical bills, vehicle damages, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The best way to understand how a car accident settlement works is to work with an accident lawyer.
But, in the article below, we will discuss car accident lawsuits to give you a better understanding before contacting a lawyer.
[joli-toc]
The Basics Of Accident Settlements
An accident settlement is an agreement between an injured crash victim and a person, entity, or organization legally responsible for causing the victim’s injuries.
The at-fault party is then responsible for compensating the victim for that harm.
In typical auto accident settlements, the injured party agrees to release the liable party from future financial liability in exchange for a payment of money.
The settlement agreement will end the legal claim.
In many car crash cases, the liable party’s insurance company will pay the settlement amount to the injured crash victim.
But sometimes, if the insurance policy isn’t large enough to cover all of the damages, some of the money for a settlement may come directly out of the legally liable party’s own pocket.
Experienced personal injury attorneys will investigate all potential sources of settlement dollars available to pay a car accident settlement to ensure their clients get the compensation they deserve.
The negligent party should cover every medical expense.
Once a settlement is signed and filed, the parties typically cannot open it back up.
That’s why crash victims should approach settlements with care and seek the legal expertise of an experienced auto accident attorney before agreeing to anything.
Working with an accident attorney will ensure you receive a fair settlement to continue with your life.
Investigating the Accident
When filing a claim after your car crash, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will begin an investigation into the accident.
It’s important to know that insurance companies will push boundaries while investigating a claim.
Insurance companies never want to pay out much, and they will do what they can to avoid paying a full settlement.
Don’t give a statement to the insurer or sign anything until you’ve spoken to a car wreck lawyer.
Your insurance adjuster can use anything you tell them or sign for them against you later.
Your lawyer will also need to begin their investigation into your wreck as soon as possible, so you shouldn’t waste time when it comes to hiring an attorney.
Their investigation will include:
- Taking pictures and gathering evidence at the accident scene
- Taking photos of your injuries
- Tracking all expenses
- Obtaining a copy of the police report
- Referring you to a doctor to treat your injuries
- Speaking to witnesses
How Much Money Should I Expect To Receive In A Settlement?
Settlement amounts after car wrecks will vary greatly depending on the crash’s circumstances.
If you suffered minor vehicle damage, insurance companies will pay out the “reasonable” cost of the vehicle’s repair or replacement.
If you’ve been injured, this portion of the settlement negotiation is separate from the property damage portion.
The money you receive is determined by your medical expenses, lost income, and the extent of your injuries.
Pain and suffering negotiations compensate for past and future discomfort caused by your injuries.
You have to finish your medical treatments before submitting this portion of a settlement claim.
It’s essential to understand your medical condition and if additional healthcare may be required later in your life before settling your claim.
That’s why you should always consult with a personal injury lawyer so you can discuss the settlement process so you don’t waive your options involving future medical treatment.
What Happens if You Can’t Reach an Agreeable Settlement?
If you can’t reach an agreement with the insurance company, you don’t have to accept their lowball offer.
Be sure to provide the insurance adjuster with the documentation of your damages, the accident report, witness statements, and, if available, surveillance camera footage from the scene.
If you still don’t get a reasonable settlement offer that includes compensation for pain and suffering and future medical costs from the insurance provider, it might be time to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Fortunately, only a tiny fraction of personal injury cases go to trial.
Even still, experienced car accident lawyers will be prepared to take your insurance claim to trial if necessary.
car-accident-lawsuit
Accident Victims Should Retain an Attorney
Settling a personal injury claim is extremely complicated, and insurance companies do everything they can to pay claimants as little as possible to go away.
An experienced car accident attorney will understand insurance company tactics and protect your rights.
Once you retain a lawyer, the insurance company will communicate directly with them, allowing you to focus on your accident injuries and well-being.
A good lawyer has the legal experience necessary to ensure you receive maximum compensation towards your financial recovery from the negligent party.
Have you recently been in a car accident and believe the other person is at fault?
The Mabra Firm is a trusted car accident law firm in Atlanta that wants to help you on the road to recovery.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation today.
We will answer any other questions you may have and help you get started on the path to fair compensation.
References:
https://braunslaw.com/blog/how-accident-settlements-work/
https://www.johnfoy.com/faqs/how-does-a-car-accident-settlement-work/
https://www.thegomezfirm.com/how-car-accident-settlements-work/
https://denmonpearlman.com/car-accident-settlement/