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Car accident settlement processes go differently for everyone, as each case comes with its own circumstances. However, generally speaking, the typical timeline is:
- Seeking a free consultation with a personal injury law firm
- Reviewing insurance information
- Investigating the accident
- Continuing and monitoring medical care
- Preparing your settlement package
- Negotiating a settlement
If your attorney cannot negotiate a fair settlement with the insurer, they will prepare the case for a trial to continue the fight for compensation.
The Car Accident Settlement Process
Typically, a car accident settlement goes as follows:
Receiving a Free Initial Consultation
After you get in a car accident, report it to the police, and get medical treatment, you may want to consider getting in touch with a law firm for a free case review. They can give you an idea of how the car accident settlement process will work for you and what other steps you can take to build your claim.
If you hire a personal injury attorney, they can obtain the accident report, negotiate with adjusters, and facilitate all other legal processes so that you can focus on recovery.
Starting Your Claim and Insurance Verification
Once you have signed a contract with a personal injury lawyer, they will contact all the involved parties, including any insurance companies that may be a part of your claim.
Your lawyer will also collect your insurance coverage information. This way, they can tell how much insurance money is available for you through your own insurance plan.
Investigating the Car Accident
Our lawyers are very serious about their clients’ car settlement processes from the start. Once you contact us and we take your case, we will start an initial investigation to obtain all the meaningful evidence that backs your car accident claim. This evidence may include:
- Photographs of the scene of the accident and your injuries
- A copy of the accident report from the police
- Eyewitness accounts
- Medical records and bills that you have incurred so far
- Traffic citations
- Traffic camera footage
Monitoring Your Medical Treatment
After a car accident, you or your loved one may have incurred injuries that need treatment. Your lawyer can maintain their commitment to monitor your injuries and medical treatment to ascertain if and when your health improves. Part of this task includes following up with your doctors to gauge your progress.
Your attorney may do this weekly to keep tabs on your medical bills and other documents that may help them build a solid case and settlement package.
Preparing a Settlement Package
Once your doctor has released you from their care, it is time for your personal injury attorneys to put together your settlement package, which is necessary for negotiation with the insurance companies. This package contains evidence that reflects the ways the accident has affected your life financially and non-financially.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement on Your Behalf
After your lawyer reviews your damages and builds your settlement package, they will demand compensation from the insurance company. Usually, the insurer will come back with an offer that won’t cover all of your losses.
However, your lawyer can negotiate a fair amount with them until they reach common ground.
Settling Your Claim or Going to Trial
Depending on how you feel about the offer on the table, settlement may be the final step.
If the case proceeds to court, your attorney will be there to represent you until you receive your rightful car accident settlement.
What is the Average Car Accident Settlement
There is no specific average car accident settlement. After determining the liable party in a car accident, they will pay depending on the damages caused, which is usually different for every accident.
However, you can estimate the worth of your car accident settlement by considering the following damages:
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Past and ongoing medical bills
- Mental anguish
- Scarring
- Car replacement or repairs
If your loved one passed away from injuries related to their car accident, you and your family may qualify to recover wrongful death damages.
Get in Touch With George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers After a Car Accident
The car settlement process can be long, tedious, and complicated. Fortunately, George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers is always at your service. We will analyze your case, develop an effective case strategy, and work to ensure you get the compensation you need—regardless of what it takes.
Reach out to us today for a free case review. Since our attorneys work on a contingency fee*, we will not collect any payment from you unless and until we secure a financial recovery on your behalf.