Car accidents happen in the blink of an eye. You’re fine for a moment. The next thing you know, you’re in excruciating agony and facing a mountain of medical expenditures. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence.
Working with the at-fault driver’s insurance company is the first step. You’ll make a claim for full and fair compensation for your losses; which could include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other things.
Before attempting to manage the claims procedure on your own, you should speak with car accident lawyers in Tampa. Insurance companies will try to persuade you to accept the lowest possible settlement, and they are quite convincing. Many people accept far less than they are genuinely entitled to.
What Factors Influence Car Accident Settlements?
“How much is my case worth?” is one of the first questions that personal injury lawyers are asked. The truth is that it is debatable. Many factors influence the amount of a settlement, including:
- The type and degree of your injury is one of the most important elements that will influence the final settlement amount.
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Property damage:
Your vehicle is likely to have been severely damaged as a result of the collision. The larger the value of the settlement you should receive, the bigger the damage.
- The activities of the other party are as follows: You have the right to hold someone else responsible for any form of negligence.
- Pre-existing conditions and your general health: An insurer may attempt to lower the amount of your claim by reviewing your medical records to determine if you have any pre-existing conditions that could explain your injuries rather than the accident itself.
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Pain and suffering:
Although not a physical injury, pain and suffering is a noneconomic loss that is intangible yet has very significant consequences in a victim’s life. Mental agony, loss of companionship, loss of reputation, and other noneconomic losses are only a few examples.
- Is it better to settle or go to trial? Your award will also be determined by whether you accept a settlement offer or choose to go to trial. If you file a lawsuit, you may be able to get more money; but you must face the chance that the possible award will be reduced or dismissed by a judge or jury.
Tampa personal injury lawyers can give you an estimate of how much your case is worth after reviewing it. It’s crucial to keep in mind that such figures may change as the case progresses; and that no lawyer should make any promises or guarantees about a positive conclusion.
What to Do and What Not to Do to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Fair Car Accident Settlement
The measures you take following a car accident can have a significant impact on the amount of money you get in a settlement.
DO:
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Get medical help:
If you don’t get medical help after a car accident; the insurance company may argue that you weren’t as hurt as you claim.
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Report the accident:
After an accident, a police report can be extremely helpful in determining liability. Although police reports are frequently inadmissible in court, they can be extremely useful when negotiating with an insurance company, and they may contain witness information that can be used to explain the collision to a judge or jury.
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Gather information by:
Following your accident, an attorney will require a great deal of information. The other party’s insurance information, driver’s licence information, physical address and contact information, licence plate number, and the type of vehicle that hit you are all included. Eyewitnesses should also be interviewed and their names and contact information taken down.
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Take photos:
After an automobile collision, photos are vital evidence. Take pictures of all of the vehicles involved, their damage, and any other pertinent information; such as a traffic light that the other driver ran through.
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Make a phone call to a car accident lawyer:
Insurance companies have a reputation for being difficult to work with. Also, adjusters will try a variety of strategies to decrease your claim if you go it alone.
DON’T:
Leave the accident scene: Leaving the scene of an accident in Tampa is illegal.
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Wait to notify your own insurance company:
Many insurance policies have a clause that states that you must tell them of a collision within a specific amount of time. All you have to do now is inform them that an accident has occurred. Wait until you’ve consulted with a vehicle accident lawyer before agreeing to make a recorded statement or signing any medical releases.
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Accept responsibility:
Never mention anything that could be seen as acknowledging responsibility for the accident. Even admitting that you were at fault can be used against you.
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Assume the following scenario:
It’s fine to state you don’t know how something happened while chatting with an insurance company or police enforcement. Also, the insurance company may accuse you of lying if you make a guess and it turns out to be incorrect.
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Accept a settlement before seeing a lawyer:
The insurance company will contact you as quickly as possible to make a settlement offer. That offer will most likely be a fraction of the value of your claim. Nothing should be agreed to. Rather, gently inform the insurance company that they will need to contact your attorney.
Following these guidelines can help you defend your case and get the most out of your automobile accident claim.
What if I’m Partly to Blame for the Accident?
When deciding blame, a few jurisdictions use a stringent criterion known as contributory negligence. This is why retaining the services of a Tampa auto accident lawyer is critical. The insurance company will make every effort to place blame on you. Also, if you’re being unfairly blamed, you’ll want someone to speak up for you.
