If you were hurt in an automobile accident that wasn’t your fault, you undoubtedly have concerns regarding the car accident settlement process in California unless you have dealt with a similar circumstance in the past. A California personal injury lawyer can assist you at every stage and fight for your rights, even in direct negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. Here is a description of how that functions.
Keeping Track of Your Medical Bills
Your medical records will be an essential piece of documentation for calculating the cost of treating your injuries. Usually, the party whose carelessness led to the collision is liable for that sum of money. Keep track of all the medical care you had so your personal injury attorney can include it all in your injury claim.
Additionally, a connection between your injuries and the incident that led to them can be made thanks to your medical records. It is crucial that you get medical attention right away. If you do not seek immediate medical attention, the opposing party will likely assert that your injuries were caused by something different than the collision. Additionally, your records will include the seriousness and scope of your wounds, as well as the kinds of medical procedures you required to recuperate.
You Can Include Your Lost Wages in Your Personal Injury Claim
Your injury claim may include financial loss if you lost wages as a result of the accident, your medical care, and your recovery period. Despite the name of the category, lost wages, you may be entitled to financial compensation for this loss regardless of whether you get a salary, hourly pay, self-employment income, or any other regular source of income. Keep thorough records of any lost money.
The Car Accident Settlement Process in California: The Demand Letter
Your personal injury attorney will assess the range of a fair settlement in your personal injury claim using your medical records, information about your lost wages, and any other out-of-pocket costs. The financial assessment of your claim will also take non-economic losses like disfigurement, pain and suffering, and ongoing incapacity into account.
The amount of money that a jury would probably award to a person in your circumstances is information that insurance companies and personal injury lawyers have access to through jury verdict databases. Your attorney will send an official demand letter to the insurance provider outlining your claim for compensation and the settlement sum you’re willing to accept.
Negotiations
In a personal injury claim, the insurance company often does not disregard a lawyer’s demand letter. The insurer could counteroffer or dispute responsibility for your damages. Sometimes a pushy claims adjuster may blame the victim for the collision and demand payment from you to the negligent driver.
Up until a settlement is reached, the parties cannot come to an agreement, or the filing deadline approaches, your attorney will deal with the insurance company.
Signing the settlement agreement
You’ll sign the settlement agreement as soon as you and your lawyer agree on a reasonable settlement offer. The insurance company and the other driver are normally exempt from further legal action under this agreement. Make sure to have a lawyer read the contract carefully before you sign it.
The insurer issues a cheque
The process of issuing the cheque may take days or weeks, even after you sign a settlement agreement. The procedure is finished after you pick up your settlement from your attorney.
If necessary, your attorney can submit a claim to the court asking the judge or jury to provide you compensation for your injuries.
Conclusion
As each personal injury claim is different, this general method might slightly differ in your scenario. You don’t have to go up against the multibillion-dollar insurance company alone. Our attorney for personal injury claims in California can handle your injury claim on your behalf. Contact us right away; we provide a free consultation.