Injuries caused by another person’s negligence happen daily. Insurance companies pay out massive amounts to compensate victims for injuries sustained during car accidents.
The goal of the Los Angeles car accident attorneys at El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers is to empower injury victims. You don’t have to be compassionate to the insurance company.
We explain the personal injury settlement process to you from the start to the end to ensure that you have the information you need to get the compensation you deserve.
What do You Need to Win a Personal Injury Case?
To develop a successful injury claim, you will require to be able to prove that you sustained injuries, and the injuries were a result of someone else’s negligence. Gathering evidence is a crucial part of the personal injury settlement process.
Start by gathering evidence — like medical bills, police reports, witness statements, pictures of the accident scene, and more — as soon as the accident happens and continue collecting evidence through the recovery process.
Complaining of pain or other physical injuries is not enough. You will need medical records and bills to link your injuries to the car accident. Medical care after a car accident is very crucial to your claim.
Without these records, the insurance companies can deny that your injuries were sustained from the accident or that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
For complicated injury claims, you will need the kind of evidence that requires a car accident attorney to review and prove that the at-fault company was responsible for your injuries to get the compensation you deserve.
Communicating with Insurance Companies
Your lawyer will send a notice letter to the insurance company of the at-fault driver to inform them that you intend to file a claim.
The attorney will deal with all communications from the insurance company. If you want to handle your personal injury claims without a lawyer, you will be the one communicating with the insurance company.
When handling the case yourself, the insurance company might deny your claim and decide there is no coverage for your injury. You have the right to consult a personal injury lawyer before you give any statement during the claim process. Don’t let the insurance company hurry you into the settlement process.
Calculating the Value of Your Claim
The losses you get because of your injury are known as damages by injury attorneys and insurance companies. The insurance company will not tell you the value of your damages. These damages can include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers can assist you in justifying your losses so that you get a fair estimate for the value of your claim.
Settlement Negotiations for Your Injury Claims
This is the hardest part of the personal injury settlement process. If you decide to handle the claims without an attorney, understand that the adjuster is not your friend. His or her intention is to save money for the insurance company and not what is best for you. So, remain calm and focus the negotiations on facts.
The adjuster will most likely tell you that your claim has little or no value. They might give you statistics to convince you that they understand your demands and that they are doing you a favor. Don’t fall for these tactics. They are testing if you understand the personal injury settlement process.
If you can’t settle the claim with the adjuster, your next step is to file for a lawsuit or involve an attorney to negotiate for you. As soon as you or your attorney and the adjuster have agreed, record the details. The insurance company will then send a settlement agreement for you to sign. Before signing, ensure that you review the document carefully.
Contact El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers
Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your claims. Contact the experienced attorneys at El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. When your settlement negotiations stall, it will cost you nothing to find out how our experienced attorneys can help you.