Navigating the claims process with an insurance company can be one of the most infuriating experiences.
Paperwork, phone calls, endless lowball offers.
Insurance companies have an entire army of adjusters and lawyers working against accident victims every day. They know exactly what to do to pay the least possible amount to protect their profits.
And that’s why it helps to have legal help on your side.
What You’re About to Discover:
- Why Insurance Companies Fight So Hard
- When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
- How Legal Assistance Can Change Everything
- Simplified: The Insurance Claims Process
Why Insurance Companies Fight So Hard
Look, let’s just say this upfront and clear.
Insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart. It is their job to pay as little as possible on every single claim they receive.
It’s just business.
And according to recent industry data, some 46% of consumers report being frustrated with slow or lengthy claims processes. And here’s the thing, that level of frustration is exactly what insurance companies count on.
They know that most people will give up, or take a lowball settlement offer just to make the headache go away. Hiring a West Sacramento car accident lawyer helps to level the playing field and helps to get the insurance company to take your claim seriously from day one. And speaking of the insurance company…
The adjusters working on your claim are professionals.
They handle thousands of cases just like yours every single year. They know every trick in the book to reduce what they owe you on your claim.
And that’s something that too many accident victims forget.
When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
Not every little fender bender requires legal assistance. And hiring a lawyer does not always guarantee a big payout.
But there are definitely some situations where having legal representation can make all the difference. Here’s what to keep an eye out for.
- Serious injuries requiring ongoing medical treatment. The long term care adds up, and insurance companies are very good at underestimating what this care will cost in the future.
- Disputed liability. If the other driver refuses to accept fault, or there are other complicating factors, legal representation is your best friend.
- Multiple vehicles and/or other contributing factors. In some ways, these situations are the easiest, but in others, they are not.
- Lowball settlement offers. If you get an offer that does not even begin to cover the cost of your medical bills, you need an attorney.
Here’s a little secret…
In many cases, the true nature of injuries is not immediately clear. Back pain that seems like a minor nuisance now can develop into a chronic problem in need of surgery several months down the road. An experienced car accident lawyer will look out for this possibility and help to fight for compensation that will take care of these potential future expenses.
How Legal Assistance Can Change Everything
Here are some numbers.
Studies have shown that 91% of accident victims with attorneys end up receiving a payout from their insurance settlement claims. Compare that to 51% of those who try to navigate the claims process without any legal help.
That’s almost double the success rate.
Take a minute and let that sink in.
Without a lawyer, your chances of receiving any compensation at all are not much more than a coin flip. With the right legal assistance, your chances are dramatically higher.
Of course, the help of a car accident lawyer is not only about increasing your chances of winning a settlement. It’s also about getting the amount that you truly deserve.
Car accident lawyers know exactly how to calculate damages, including the following:
- Measurable costs like medical bills and car repairs
- Lost wages when an accident forces victims to miss work
- Lost future income when injuries impact earning ability
- Pain and suffering experienced as a result of injuries
- Emotional distress and other trauma caused by a car accident.
Insurance adjusters will try to downplay or ignore these types of damages. A skilled attorney will make sure they don’t get away with it.
The Claims Process Made Simple
Before we get into the step by step process, here is a hard truth.
Insurance companies make the claims process complicated on purpose. The confusing paperwork, the deadlines, the legalese… it’s all there to overwhelm and discourage accident victims.
One of the first things a car accident lawyer does is cut through all of the red tape.
In general, the process works as follows:
- The attorney reviews the case and collects all necessary documentation and evidence, including the police report, medical records, witness testimony, etc.
- The lawyer then goes into negotiation mode. This is where their real experience comes in. An attorney knows what similar cases have settled for and what the law says is fair value for your claim.
- In some cases, the insurance company may refuse to offer a fair amount. When that happens, the case may need to be litigated. Most lawsuits settle before trial, but an attorney who is willing to take the case to court can provide a lot of leverage.
And finally, the best part…
Most car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t pay them anything unless they win the case. In other words, their fees come out of the settlement money. This structure makes getting legal assistance affordable to everyone, no matter what their financial situation.
Making It Work For You
Insurance companies have deep pockets and vast experience in fighting claims. Taking them on alone places accident victims at a huge disadvantage.
Getting proper legal assistance is not about being difficult or trying to make the insurance company pay more than necessary. It’s about protecting your rights and ensuring you are treated fairly when you are the victim of an accident that was not your fault.
The stakes are just too high to leave things to chance. Medical bills mount up very quickly. Lost income can take a heavy toll on families. Dealing with insurance companies while also recovering from injuries can also cause a lot of stress and even trauma.
Don’t let insurance companies try to take advantage of the situation.
No matter if the injuries are minor or severe, at the very least, you should consult with a car accident lawyer. Most will give a free initial consultation, and it can make the difference between receiving a much smaller settlement or the compensation you truly deserve.
