After a car accident, dealing with medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost earnings can overwhelm anyone. If the accident was not your fault, you deserve compensation for your damages.
However, getting paid after a car accident is not always straightforward. Insurance companies may delay, undervalue, or even deny your claim, making the process more difficult than it should be. A car accident lawyer who understands how to get paid after a car accident can guide you through the necessary steps to secure the compensation you need to recover financially.
Don't wait to take action after a car accident. Protect your rights and maximize your compensation by hiring a lawyer to file a strong claim, gather the right evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company. If you face delays or unfair treatment, contact a car accident attorney today for a free consultation and get the payment you deserve.
How Often Do Car Accidents Happen?
Car accidents happen far too often across the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in a recent year, nearly 40,000 people died in car accidents.
Car accidents happen for various reasons, but most traffic accidents across the country happen because at least one driver involved in the crash broke the speed limit.
In addition to speeding, about 45 percent of deadly crashes happen because at least one driver drove under the influence of drugs or alcohol or did not wear a seat belt.
How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
An experienced attorney can estimate your case’s worth based on surrounding circumstances. Here are some factors that might influence the overall value of your case:
Severity of Injuries
Generally, the more severe the injuries are, the more your case is worth. Car accident victims might suffer from a wide range of injuries, from soft tissue injuries to death.
An attorney can calculate the full extent of your injuries and losses to determine the estimated value of your case.
Lost Earnings and Lost Earning Capacity
If your injuries caused you to miss time at work, you might be entitled to recover for lost earnings. Accident victims deserve compensation for their present and future lost income for accident-related injuries.
An accident victim may also be entitled to recover for their lost earning capacity. Lost earning capacity refers to the victim’s lost earning potential.
Typically, the injured person can recover from the difference if their injuries have caused them to be unable to return to work or they can no longer work at the same rate or in the same capacity as before their injuries.
Insurance Policy Limits
Often, the only money available to collect after an accident is what is included in the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. Have an attorney review the applicable insurance policy terms to determine how much money you might expect to receive after a car accident.
In cases where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you might need to file a claim with your insurance company. At the time that they sign up for coverage, a driver can opt into carrying uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This is a type of coverage that can protect you if you get into an accident with a driver who is uninsured or underinsured.
The Accident’s Impact On Your Life
Accident victims might recover compensation for the intangible losses they might face after an accident, including their reduced quality of life.
If the accident caused you to suffer a reduction in your mental health or other loss of enjoyment of life, speak to an attorney about receiving compensation for your loss.
How Do I Get Paid After a Car Accident?
There are many ways to receive compensation for your injuries and damages after a car accident. After a car accident, you might recover compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Here is how accident victims typically receive compensation:
File an Insurance Claim
If the other driver was responsible, file a claim with their insurance company. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may need to file a claim with your policy.
Usually, the first step in getting paid after a car accident is filing a claim with the insurance company. Even when dealing with your insurance company, talk with an experienced attorney first.
Gather Enough Evidence
Strong cases require strong evidence. To get paid after a car accident, you will need to have sufficient evidence to prove your case. Collect police reports, medical records, photos of the accident scene, and witness statements to support your claim.
Keep records of all medical expenses, car repair estimates, and lost earnings to prove your damages.
Negotiate With The Insurance Company
At some point during the case, your side will negotiate with the insurance company for payment. Working with the insurance company will bring its challenges.
For example, the insurance company might initially offer a low settlement - do not accept it without reviewing your total losses. Prepare to negotiate or provide additional evidence to justify a higher payout.
Consider Taking Legal Action
You might need to take legal action to get the money you deserve after a car accident. If the insurer delays, denies or undervalues your claim, an attorney can help fight for fair compensation. In some cases, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages.
Receive Your Settlement or Judgment
The final step to getting paid after a car accident is to receive payment on your settlement or judgment. Once the settlement is agreed upon, the insurance company will issue payment. If your case goes to court and you win, you will receive compensation according to the judge’s ruling.
How Do I Maximize My Compensation?
Of course, you will want to maximize your compensation after a car accident.
Here are some ways to ensure that you do just that:
- Never rush to settle. You should wait to accept a settlement offer, if at all until you are fully healed, or you understand the full extent of your injuries and expenses.
- Avoid giving recorded statements that might be used against you.
- Consult an attorney. A car accident lawyer can negotiate on your behalf and ensure you get the full compensation you deserve.
What Hurdles Can I Expect from the Insurance Company?
When filing a claim after a car accident, you may encounter several hurdles from the insurance company. Their goal is to minimize payouts, which can make getting fair compensation difficult. Here are some common challenges you might face:
Lowball Settlement Offers
One of the most common tactics that insurance companies use to avoid making payments to injured people is to offer a quick but insufficient settlement offer. The initial settlement offer often falls less than what you deserve.
An insurance company might even downplay your injuries or property damage to justify a lower payout.
Delayed Claim Processing
Some insurance companies drag out the claims process. This tactic is used in the hopes that you will get frustrated with the process, accept a lower settlement than you deserve, and give up.
An insurance company might request excessive paperwork or claim that they need more time to investigate an accident. Having an attorney is the best way to avoid this underhanded tactic.
Disputing Liability
Insurance companies notoriously dispute liability, even if liability seems clear. They do this to avoid making a payout. The insurer may argue that you were at fault for the accident.
The insurance company might claim that there is a lack of sufficient evidence proving the other driver was responsible for causing the accident.
Claim Denial
Some insurance companies outright deny claims. Some insurers wrongfully deny claims based on minor technicalities or vague policy interpretations. An insurance company may argue that your injuries are pre-existing or not covered under your policy.
Challenges to Medical Treatment
An insurance adjuster might accuse you of not requiring the medical treatment you seek. Insurers often question the necessity of certain medical treatments, trying to avoid paying for them.
They may insist that you should have recovered faster or that you are exaggerating your injuries. A car accident lawyer will help fight back against an insurer who wants to avoid paying for your medical treatment.
Misrepresenting Policy Terms
Some insurance companies intentionally misinterpret the policy terms to avoid making a payment. Insurance companies may try to deny your claim by pointing to the fine print exclusions in the policy.
They might argue that the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage does not apply to your situation.
Pressuring You Into Settling Quickly
An insurance company might try to pressure you into settling quickly after an accident. They may push for a fast settlement, hoping you will accept the offer before realizing the full extent of your damages.
Remember, once you accept a settlement offer, you cannot request more money later, even if new medical issues arise.
Using Your Words Against You
Insurance companies often ask injured individuals to provide a written or recorded statement. Anything you say to an insurance adjuster can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Even casual remarks can be misinterpreted as an admission that your injuries are not serious.
How Do I Overcome These Challenges?
The good news is that you can overcome these hurdles. You can fight against underhanded insurance tactics by keeping records of medical visits, repair bills, and communication with the insurance company. Never accept a settlement offer before getting legal counsel.
Avoid giving written or recorded statements to insurance adjusters who may twist your words against you.
Consider hiring a car accident lawyer. A lawyer can negotiate for you, fight bad faith tactics, and ensure you get the compensation you deserve after a car accident.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Me Get Paid After an Accident?
An accident injury lawyer is your best advocate after a car crash. Creating a legal team is the best way to get everything that you deserve after surviving a car accident. Here are some of the ways that an attorney can help you financially recover after an accident:
Negotiating with an Insurance Company
Many cases are resolved through settlement negotiations. An attorney can work for you by negotiating with the insurance company.
An attorney will combat bad faith tactics used by the insurance company and tear down barriers that would cause you to not get the full and fair compensation you deserve after a car accident.
Resolving Your Case in Court
Your car accident lawyer may file a lawsuit if your case does not resolve during settlement negotiations. An attorney makes asking for what you deserve after an accident less intimidating.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney Today!
Getting paid after a car accident should not be a struggle, but insurance companies often make it difficult. Whether dealing with medical bills, lost earnings, or vehicle repairs, you deserve full and fair compensation for your losses.
By understanding the claims process, gathering strong evidence, and standing firm against lowball offers, you can improve your chances of getting the payment you need.
Insurance companies often try to offer you a quick settlement that may not fully cover your tangible losses and your pain and suffering. Without an attorney leading your claim, you may unknowingly accept a settlement that is far less than what you are entitled to.
Do not let insurance companies delay or deny your rightful compensation. Take control of your claim today. If you face challenges getting paid after a car accident, contact an experienced attorney for a free consultation. They can handle negotiations, fight for your rights, and ensure you receive every dollar you deserve. Act now to secure your financial recovery.