The Car Accident Settlement Process

Car insurance exists to protect the finances of policyholders and provide compensation to those who are harmed in motor vehicle accidents. For injured victims, a fair insurance settlement is extremely important and can provide funds to pay for medical treatment, replace your vehicle, and cover necessities while you are unable to work.

However, insurance companies do not always work in the best interests of injured claimants, often making the process lengthy, confusing, and frustrating.

How Long Does The Insurance Claims Process Take?

One of the most common questions is how long will the settlement process take?

The simple answer to this question is that it depends. While a simple car accident with only property damage may be resolved relatively quickly, when severe injuries are involved, claims can take significantly longer.

There are many factors that affect how long a case will take, including the extent and severity of your injuries, who the liable party is, how the collision occurred, how much insurance coverage is available, who the insurance company is, and whether or not you hire a lawyer, among many other variables.

One thing that is certain is that a faster settlement does not mean a better settlement.

In fact, insurance companies often reach out to injured victims immediately before they have a chance to fully understand how hurt they are.

They may quickly offer a settlement that sounds appealing but is almost always inadequate for their needs. Vulnerable injury victims sometimes end up settling for far less than what’s available to them.

Instead, it’s important to take the time necessary to have a full understanding of how the accident has affected your life. This includes your medical costs, any future medical expenses, and how long you’ll be unable to work.

The reality is that the insurance claims process is difficult to navigate and is built to put claimants at a disadvantage. If you or a loved one has suffered any injury in a car accident, it is in your best interests to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer. An attorney can handle the process for you, allow you to recover, and negotiate a full and fair settlement. In the event that a settlement cannot be reached, they can file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.

How an Attorney Can Manage the Insurance Process

A Texas car accident lawyer has the knowledge and resources to carry out an investigation, file a claim, and negotiate for a settlement. Typically, the attorney does the following in the car accident settlement process:

• Thoroughly investigates the accident by reviewing photos, videos, and eyewitness testimony to determine the negligence that caused the accident, identify the liable party, and contact the appropriate insurance company
• Gathers evidence to show that the at-fault driver or other party owed a duty of care to you and others on the road to take reasonable measures to prevent causing injury, they breached this duty through negligence or recklessness, their breach of duty caused the injury, and that you’ve suffered economic and non-economic damages from the injury
• Sends a compelling demand package with the evidence of liability and your carefully calculated damages to the insurer
• Negotiate with the insurance adjuster assigned to your case to achieve the highest possible out-of-court settlement for your damages
• Files a lawsuit within the two-year time limit if the insurance company wrongfully denies the claim or seriously undervalues its worth

Most attorneys that handle car accident cases don’t charge for an initial consultation and only take a fee after they secure a settlement or court award for your damages.

Speak With A Lawyer As Soon As Possible

After an accident, dealing with painful injuries, medical procedures, and lengthy recovery times makes it difficult to earn a living or accomplish routine tasks. The last thing you should have to do is deal with an adversarial insurance company.

Instead, it may be in your best interests to seek an experienced car accident lawyer to navigate the complex car accident settlement process, let you know what to expect, and help you maximize the value of your case.