Car Accidents and Insurance Claims
There are many insurance issues that can affect your auto accident case. A lawyer can also help you understand issues such as insurance bad faith, uninsured motorists, and no-fault and at-fault laws and how they affect your claim.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often have their own financial interests in mind instead of your wellbeing. Keep in mind that insurance company employees, especially those of the at-fault driver, are trained to put words in the mouths of accident victims with the intention of invalidating their claims. There are a few things you should know before dealing with insurance companies; however, it is often in your best interest to speak with an experienced auto accident attorney first.
Reporting the Accident
It is important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the auto accident. Most insurance companies will deny a valid claim if the accident isn’t reported promptly.
Providing Information
Your insurance company will want any information pertaining to the accident to help in their investigation, including the events that led to the incident and the names and insurance information for the people involved.
Recording a Statement
Your insurance company as well as the insurance company or the other drivers involved may want you to record a statement. It is often in your best interest to consult with an auto accident attorney about your case before you make a formal statement so that you don’t compromise your rights to fair compensation.
Accepting Settlements
Insurance companies for the other drivers involved will try to pressure you into accepting their offer; however, it is important that you do not accept this settlement because it is often much less than you may be entitled to.
Insurance Bad Faith Claims
Auto insurance is supposed to help individuals who are involved in car accidents cover the associated costs. However, insurance companies sometimes deny valid claims in their own financial interest. When an insurance company denies a claim that is supported by viable evidence, it is called insurance bad faith. Auto accident attorneys can help people who have had valid claims rejected by filing a bad faith claim against the insurance company.
Uninsured Motorists
Most states require motorists to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance in order to legally drive. However, the Insurance Research Council found that in 2000 an average of 14 percent of drivers nationwide didn’t have insurance. Drivers can purchase insurance policies that cover accidents involving uninsured motorists. In such cases, the insured driver will receive compensation through his or her insurance policy, and responsibility then falls on the insurance company to pursue a case against the uninsured motorist. If the insured motorist’s policy does not cover uninsured motorist claims, he or she must seek compensation directly from the uninsured driver.
No-Fault and At-Fault Laws
Liability laws vary from state to state. About half of all states in the United States have adopted no-fault liability laws, which make everyone involved in a car accident responsible for his or her own damages. However, most of these states allow exceptions to these laws, namely if a person sustains a serious personal injury or if property damage exceeds a specific amount. The remaining states have instated at-fault liability laws, which require the party responsible for the car accident to pay damages for everyone involved.
Contact an Attorney for Assistance with Your Auto Accident Case
An experienced auto accident attorney can help you deal with insurance issues so that you receive the full amount of compensation you are entitled to. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, use LawyerShop’s online directory to find an attorney near you who can help you with your case.