How to Settle a Car Accident Case Quickly

A car accident can have a large impact on your life. It can cause you to miss work or special events. It can lead to extensive injuries that require expensive medical treatments. You will need to seek compensation from the insurance company in order to cover these expenses and damages. Settling a car accident case quickly requires taking a few steps as soon after the incident as possible.

Contact a Lawyer

The first step should be to contact a lawyer immediately after an auto accident. Car accident lawyers can protect your rights and handle the insurance companies. They can make sure that your claim is made before the statute of limitations expires. They have the knowledge and experience necessary to counteract common insurance company tactics so that your settlement occurs as soon as possible after the accident. You should never attempt to negotiate with insurance companies without an attorney because some settlements are complex. You might be agreeing to a settlement that drastically undervalues your damages or that will affect your fair compensation in the future. You should always call a lawyer immediately after you have been in a car accident.

Gather Evidence of Damages

The next step is to start gathering evidence of your damages. The insurance company is likely to question every detail and expense. You should begin saving and collecting things like medical bills, pictures of your injuries and other documents that show exactly what you have lost. This might even include statements from doctors. This is where an auto accident lawyer can help. The lawyer will know exactly what evidence is most important. The attorney can help you to get the evidence that you will need to prove your damages to the insurance company. They might even be able to add compensation for things like pain and suffering to your claim.

Write a Demand Letter to the Insurance Company

You must now write a demand letter to the insurance company. This letter will start the settlement process by demanding a specific amount of compensation. The letter should detail everything that happened before, during and after the car accident. You will then need to describe your injuries and the treatments that you have received. You will want to list all your monetary losses. This must include items like lost wages and pain and suffering. End the letter with the amount of compensation you are demanding. You should allow car accident lawyers to write this letter. Leaving anything out could mean that you get less compensation for your injuries. Attorneys can demand compensation for future medical expenses, intangible losses or future lost wages.

Continue Documenting Your Damages

You should continue documenting any damages that occur after writing and sending the demand letter. This should include treatments, new injuries or other damages that are ongoing. Documenting these additional damages will help you when negotiating with the insurance company. They will also help to increase the amount of compensation that you eventually receive. Keep your lawyer informed in order to prevent missing an opportunity to recover new damages that resulted from the accident.

Negotiate and Make Counteroffers

The insurance company will respond to the demand letter. The insurer will almost always respond with a letter offering you a settlement that is far below what you asked for. This is the start of the negotiation process. You will need to respond to the offer with a counteroffer. You will need to lower the amount of compensation that you are demanding in order to reach a settlement. You might need to include new documentation of your ongoing injuries. A car accident lawyer is invaluable during negotiations. The lawyer will know how to make effective counteroffers. Attempting to negotiate without an attorney could lead to a settlement that does not cover your damages or medical bills.

Call A Mediator If Necessary

There are times when negotiations with an insurance company start to fall apart. The insurer might be questioning your expenses. The insurer might not be offering anywhere near what you need to cover your losses. This is when you might need to call a mediator. A mediator will be a skilled personal injury attorney who oversees direct negotiations. They are often the last chance to reach a quick settlement before it becomes necessary to go to court. You need to have an attorney present during mediation to prevent the insurance company from reducing your fair compensation by an unacceptable amount.

Sign a Release and Accept Compensation

Once the insurance company makes a fair offer, then you will need to sign a release and accept compensation. The release usually states that you will not pursue future settlements or litigation for damages related to the accident. You want to be certain that the release is read and approved by an auto accident lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected and that you will get the compensation amount offered by the insurer. The insurance company will then give your compensation money to your lawyer. You will receive the money from you lawyer once the settlement is finalized.

Car accident lawyers can protect your rights and handle the insurance companies. They can make sure that your claim is made before the statute of limitations expires.