As cautious as we try to be when we drive our cars, accidents can and do happen. Even the most attentive of drivers may find themselves suffering injuries at the hands of another reckless or negligent driver. If you are coping with an auto accident injury in Southern California, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the physical toll, costly medical bills, lost wages, and other unexpected consequences of the accident. Auto accident victims have the right to pursue an auto accident claim to obtain the compensation they need to support their recovery. However, many insurance companies attempt to pay you as little as possible. Here are some strategies for maximizing your auto accident claim so you can secure a fair and favorable outcome to help you get your life back on track.
Putting Together a Strong Auto Accident Claim
While some people decide to file an auto accident claim on their own, those with substantial injuries often benefit from working with a knowledgeable auto accident lawyer. You’ll want to make sure you can compile sufficient evidence to prepare a strong claim. Some key elements of an effective auto accident claim include evidence from the scene, medical documents, and a calculation of the long-term impacts of your injuries.
Collecting Evidence From the Scene of the Accident
A compelling auto accident claim begins with the evidence you can gather at the scene. Gathering the contact information from the other parties involved in the accident as well as any witnesses can establish a timeline of the events preceding the accident. If law enforcement arrives at the scene, request a copy of the police report. This document can serve as a resource to show the other driver’s negligent behavior—perhaps witnesses told police that they observed the other driver running a red light or driving while texting. Provide photos of the scene and your injuries if possible. In general, the more evidence you can offer, the more thoroughly you can illustrate the damage the accident caused you.
Medical Documentation of Your Injuries
To maximize the amount of compensation you receive, you need to show how much the injury has cost you. As you prepare your auto accident claim, be sure to include the medical bills for each doctor’s visit or hospital stay. You can also seek compensation for physical therapy that you need to support your recovery, the medications your doctor prescribed, and any other medical costs associated with your injury.
Calculating the Long-Term Monetary Costs of Your Injury
As you prepare your auto accident claim, be sure to think about how your injury will affect you in the long term. Some injuries require a lengthy path to recovery, and you may not be capable of performing the duties required of your job. You can include documentation, such as paycheck stubs to illustrate how your injuries have caused you to lose out on your wages or have diminished your earning capacity for the foreseeable future. Calculating the long-term impact of your injuries can be challenging, so enlist the guidance of an experienced Temecula auto accident attorney to help you determine the worth of your claim.
Let Your Attorney Communicate on Your Behalf
One of the most challenging and frustrating aspects of pursuing an auto accident claim in Southern California is negotiating with insurance adjusters. It’s important to understand that insurance adjusters strive to save the company as much money as possible. Even if they claim to be “on your side,” they want to protect the insurance company’s bottom line. This means that they often attempt to question the strength or validity of your claim. These stressful interactions are the last thing auto accident victims need, so it’s worth enlisting the services of a trusted auto accident lawyer to handle these communications on your behalf. An experienced attorney has dealt with numerous cases like yours and knows how to push back against the insurance adjuster’s tactics. Let your attorney represent your best interests while you focus on what matters most—your physical recovery.
Negotiating a Fair and Favorable Auto Accident Settlement
As an auto accident victim, you may be concerned about the financial costs associated with your injuries. Unfortunately, many insurance companies know that people want compensation as quickly as possible, so they almost always make an initial lowball offer in the hopes that the claimant will accept it right away. Accepting an initial offer may deprive you of obtaining the total worth of your claim, so work with your auto accident lawyer to negotiate a more equitable and favorable offer. For the most part, insurance companies want to avoid litigation, so they will usually engage in further negotiations and offer you a more favorable settlement. Turning to a skilled Murrieta auto accident lawyer is the best way to ensure you obtain the full amount of compensation you need to move forward.
Call Hales & Associates, A Professional Law Corporation, today at (951) 489-3320 to discuss your auto accident claim with a dedicated Temecula attorney.