If you’ve been hurt in an auto accident, it’s likely that you have a lot on your mind. Between medical expenses, missed work, repair bills, and the discomfort associated with your injuries, the aftermath of a serious wreck is often stressful and difficult. With all of this going on, you’re probably concerned about how much you’ll be able to recover from the person that caused your accident – and rightfully so. Under California law, when another person’s negligence results in harm, victims are legally entitled to compensation for their accident-related losses – economic and otherwise.
As a car accident victim, the amount of compensation you ultimately recover depends on a number of factors. Some of the most relevant include the following:
- The extent and severity of your injuries
- Your prognosis and whether you’re expected to have any long-term disabilities
- The extent of damage to your vehicle
- Los Wages
- Any other out of pocket expenses
- The amount of the at-fault party’s insurance coverage
Retain an Attorney to Maximize Your Claim
It’s important to understand that in order to maximize your claim, you’ll need to retain an experienced attorney. This is true even if you’ve been told by the insurance company that they want to settle your case. It’s important to understand that insurance companies are for-profit companies that do everything they can to pay out as little as possible on every claim they can. Insurance company representatives are well-trained to take advantage of unrepresented parties and engage in various tactics designed to settle cases for much less than they are actually worth. These include the following:
- Making lowball initial offers in order to convince victims that a later, but still insufficient, offer is a good deal
- Taking an unreasonable amount of time in order to process a claim, allowing bills to pile up and putting financial pressure on victims
- Requesting overbroad medical authorizations in an effort to find anything that may justify calling an injury a pre-existing condition
- Telling victims that they need a recorded statement in order to process their claim, hoping that they will say something that will justify reducing their offer or denying their claim entirely
Fortunately, when you retain a lawyer, he or she will handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf. In the event that you are asked to give a recorded statement or a deposition, your lawyer will be right by your side and make sure that your rights are protected. When you retain an attorney to represent you after a car accident, it ensures that you will receive as much money as possible for your losses and that you are able to focus on what’s most important – your physical and emotional recovery.
Call the Law Offices of Brent W. Caldwell Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with an Attorney
Car accidents have the potential to turn your life upside-down in an instant. Fortunately, with the assistance of an experienced car accident attorney, victims can often recover compensation for the losses they’ve sustained. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a car accident lawyer, call the Law Offices of Brent W. Caldwell today at 714-625-8914.
