The process of determining the right amount of car insurance and then navigating its many complexities to deal with an accident can be a headache. Most do not have the time to learn about the industry’s detailed rules and regulations nor the talent required for such complicated dealings. This is the advantage of hiring someone else to fight for you and your money. If you have been involved in an accident and would like to pursue car insurance claim, hiring a car insurance lawyer might be a wise decision that could save you time, relieve stress, and ultimately, save you money.
Understanding Car Insurance Claims
If you’ve been in a car wreck, you undoubtedly have a lot of stress. Your first step might be to file a claim with your car insurance company. Sometimes, however, claims get denied by the insurance company. Car insurance companies may deny claims for various reasons, such as a policy lapse or a dispute about liability. That’s when you need a car insurance lawyer.
The Role of a Car Insurance Lawyer
A car insurnace lawyer will help to resolve disputes between the insurance companys and policyholders and will help to get the clients all of the benefits that he is allowed to from the insurance contract. Below are some of the areas where they can help:
Denials: If the claim is denied, a lawyer can examine your policy and the facts of your case to identify whether an objection has merit, and to take steps to object if appropriate.
Once you have hired an attorney to represent you, he or she will handle settlement negotiations with the insurance company, who typically aims to settle claims at the lowest possible figure.
Litigation: If negotiations fail, your lawyer can begin a lawsuit and bring the claim to a judge or jury.
When you find insurance too confusing to read on your own, you can have an interpreter help you understand it: Policy Interpretation: An insurance policy contains multiple paragraphs of fine print which can be difficult to read. A lawyer can help you interpret the policy and explain your legal rights and obligations.
Benefits of Hiring a Car Insurance Lawyer
Having a car insurance attorney in your corner has a lot to offer. An expert, experienced lawyer can provide strategic insight into your case and maximise your chances of success. Here is an expanded list of benefits:
Expertise and Experience
Insurance law is complex. Insurance companies know not to accept a liability unless they have a solid case that their company won’t suffer a financial loss, and there are regulations that insurance companies must navigate to avoid paying out. A car insurance lawyer has studied this, and when she goes up against an insurance company, they know what they’re up against. She has likely encountered many similar cases and knows what to expect as well.
Maximizing Compensation
A lawyer will make sure you get the compensation you deserve. He will calculate the true value of your claim by accounting for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and all other damages and losses you deserve. He will negotiate with your insurer and get you a higher settlement than you could get on your own.
Reducing Stress
Communicating with insurance agencies is difficult especially when you are trying to recover from an accident. Lawyer can communicate with the insurance about your case giving you permission to focus on your recovery while he or she can focus on the details of your case. As well they can communicate and deal with all the paperwork and deadlines for the case.
Leveling the Playing Field
Insurance companies will leave themselves open in order to limit your rights to obtain the maximum value of your injuries. Without an attorney on your side, you are at a disadvantage to any insurance defence lawyer and/or adjuster. An attorney will fight for your rights and see that you are treated fairly.
Choosing the Right Car Insurance Lawyer
To receive a good judgment and a successful verdict at the trial, the role of choosing the right lawyer becomes significant. The following is a decision made by a client to help in selecting the right lawyer for his case.
Being heterosexual, Steve will be in the kitchen stirring the peanut butter fudge while Katy, also heterosexual, will be in the living room, drinking a beer, watching TV. The third option, having both meals together, is their best choice.
The next day, the friends meet at the river, swim, and catch three salmon for dinner that evening. Because one of them is cooking, they take a single car. As a result, they pack only one raft, leaving one person alone. The author feels happy about this arrangement.
Thankfully, it is only a short walk to the river from their homes, and all three friends are committed to reaching a fair resolution. Although the woman is not an excellent swimmer and the man is not particularly fond of fishing, they do concur that this arrangement is the right choice and should become the norm from now on.
Taking the time to listen carefully to one another is essential. While males tend to instantly take charge and jump into problems and have a difficult time leaving their egos outside the discussion, women naturally collaborate and respond more appropriately to each person individually.
Experience and Track Record
Do your homework and find a lawyer who represents plenty of car claims victims. See how many similar cases the lawyer has handled. Does s/he have a history of winning? This is a good sign.
Specialization
A lawyer who handles car insurance claims will be more familiar with the material than one who doesn’t. Choose the insurer based on the quality of their lawyer.
Client Reviews and Testimonials
Look at reviews and testimonials from past clients. Was the firm reviewed favourably by several? Were the clients satisfied with the lawyer’s work? Consistency is key.
Communication and Accessibility
When you have a case about your health or income that is handled in court, communication is critical. You will meet your lawyer more than once. They will have to know more about you to win your case. It is important to listen to great advice from other people who have used the lawyer before. When you finally choose your lawyer, find one who answers all of your questions, even the smallest ones. Choose a lawyer who keeps you informed of the current status of the case. It is extremely helpful if the lawyer is truly accessible to you and the case, to help you answer some of your questions and keep you abreast of all issues.
Fee Structure
Make sure you understand the lawyer’s fee structure before you hire her. For example, most car insurance lawyers work on contingency (they don’t get paid unless you win your case). This can be a good option if you’re worried about paying upfront.
Common Car Insurance Claim Issues
Many problems can occur when dealing with car insurance claims. Some of these issues are explained below:
A car insurance lawyer will resolve the following issues for their clients:
Disputed Liability
Whether somebody is at fault or not has to be established if an accident has happened. Having to make a claim to your car insurance may require proving liability. This is not always easy as car insurance companies may try to avoid paying out by arguing against the claim. A lawyer is able to collect evidence and investigate what happened as part of their forensic skill whilst trying to prove liability.
Policy Exclusions
Insurance policies have exclusions that act to remove some of the coverage. For instance, some exclude coverage for accidents involving motor vehicles on highways, or final illnesses resulting from natural causes. A lawyer can read over your insurance policy and let you know whether the exclusions apply to your situation and whether you have any options available.
Underpayment of Claims
Even if your claim is granted, it might be underpaid. For example, a claims adjustor may say that your vehicle needed only a $2000 fix, or that the accident caused only a $1,200 drop in your car’s value. If your lawyer disputes the insurance company’s assessment, you could receive a more accurate payout.
Bad Faith Insurance Practices
This might include delaying claims, denying correct claims without a reason or not adequately investigating a claim. Your lawyer can bring an action to put the insurer in question on notice about their bad-faith practices, and can also seek compensation for your claim.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
The first mistake to avoid after a car accident is not knowing what to do. Following these steps will bolster your case and help it progress smoothly. 1. Practice good driving 2. Know your vehicle and its condition after a collision 3. Maintain careful documentation after an accident 4. Witnesses can make or break your case 5.
Humans can be unreliable, but technology prevails 6. Increased vehicular technology can help or hinder your case bottom line. Car accidents are unfortunate events, but our modern technology excels in aiding us during and after them. Post-accident, it’s important to drive smart, treat your vehicle with care, and keep clear records about the incident. Additionally, witness testimony is valuable, but it may be undermined if the witnesses act too quickly before investigations commence.
Ensure Safety
Following an accident, your top priority is safety –
1. check for injuries and call emergency medical services if required;
2. if you can safely do so, move your vehicle out of traffic so as not to cause further accidents.
Document the Scene
Get some evidence at the accident scene. Take pictures of the vehicles involved, the damage, and any important features of the road itself. Get contact information for any witnesses and record pertinent statements.
Exchange Information
Exchange names, addresses, phone number, and insurance info Note: This is the MINIMUM information you should obtain from the other parties. If you can, take pictures of the other driver’s licence and insurance cards.
Report the Accident
As soon as the accident occurs, and if possible before you leave the scene, go to your insurance agent and report the accident. Be sure to give him or her as accurate an account as possible of how the accident occurred, but do not admit fault.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t feel injured, you must see a doctor after an accident because sometimes you don’t realise you are injured. Also, a doctor’s report can help you later if you need to file a claim.
Contact a Car Insurance Lawyer
If anything comes up with respect to your claim, speak to a lawyer experienced in car insurance. They will help guide you through the process to articulate whatever rights you have.
The Legal Process for Car Insurance Claims
Familiarising yourself with the legal process should help you understand what you’re in for if you decide to file a car insurance claim. With that in mind, here is a basic step-by-step outline:
Initial Consultation
First, setup a consultation; you will discuss your case with a car insurance lawyer who will advise you on the course of action.
Investigation
Then your lawyer will ‘fact gather’ the facts of your accident: checking the evidence, interviewing witnesses and going through police reports and medical records.
Demand Letter
In turn, if your claim appears well-founded, your attorney will send a letter of demand to the insurance company. This letter highlights the basic facts of the case, the claimed losses, and the legal basis supporting those losses.
Negotiation
The insurance company will then offer a settlement. That’s when your attorney will attempt to negotiate a good settlement, making counteroffer after counteroffer.
Litigation
If not, your lawyer will be filing a lawsuit against the doctor that he/she will present on your behalf. Eventually, there will be a day in court (judge or jury) where your case will be decided. Litigation can take many years and be very complex and lengthy, but your lawyer will again serve as your voice throughout the process.
Resolution
It may be settled by agreement or judged by the court. If you win, the insurer’s duty to pay the sum awarded will immediately come into force. Your lawyer will see to it that you receive your compensation as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Overall, a car insurance lawyer can make the process of resolving your car insurance claim easier. They bring expertise, experience, and dedication to your case. You’ll feel supported and can confidently seek the compensation you deserve with them by your side. If you ever find yourself facing car insurance claim issues, you should be familiar with their roles, benefits of hiring one, and what to look for in the right lawyer.
This knowledge will give you the confidence to handle any disputes that may arise. No matter what, it is always important to remain responsive in your car accident claim, both before and after the incident. Feel free to reach out to us for more information on this topic.