Dealing with insurance companies can be a stressful part of a car accident. If you were in a car accident, a car accident lawyer could deal with the insurance companies for you. This is one of the main perks of having a lawyer by your side throughout this process.
When you are in a car accident, trying to handle the insurance companies yourself is not only a pain but may also be dangerous. Insurance companies may be able to use what you say to them against you to try to offer you a lower settlement or even no settlement at all. A lawyer may be able to handle all communications with the responsible party’s insurance company on your behalf when they represent you.
How a Lawyer Can Help You After a Car Accident
When you are involved in a car accident, the phone call to the insurance company may be one of the most dreaded parts. When you hire a lawyer, you can avoid this stress. If an insurance company contacts you when a lawyer represents you, you can refer them to your attorney.
In addition to communications, a Los Angeles car accident attorney from Jacoby & Meyers can assist with:
Interpreting Insurance Policies
After a car accident, you may file an insurance claim against the responsible driver’s insurance company. You can also file against your own insurance company or against both. A lawyer can help you by reviewing your policy and recommending a course of action in your specific car accident claim. A lawyer can also look at the at-fault driver’s insurance policy to determine what kind of compensation you may be eligible for from their insurance company.
When it comes time to file an insurance claim, your lawyer can handle all deadlines and paperwork on your behalf.
Avoiding a Premature Settlement
Many people believe that they have to accept any settlement the insurance companies give them. This is not the case. If an insurance company offers you a settlement, you have the right to negotiate this settlement or reject it.
A car accident lawyer can help you determine the compensation you should be fighting for. They also understand how to negotiate a settlement and can manage this process on your behalf. If the responsible party’s insurance company does not make you a fair settlement offer, a lawyer can follow through with a personal injury lawsuit and take your case to trial.
Counsel You on Your Rights with Settlements
A car accident lawyer can counsel you on your rights with settlements. If you decide to take a settlement offer, your car accident lawyer will ensure you fully understand the settlement, its legal implications, and how you will receive payment.
You will always have the final say when deciding whether or not you accept a settlement offer. A lawyer will take each offer that is presented to them on your behalf. Then, they’ll give you the option to accept it or deny it.
Damages in a Car Accident Case
If you can prove that another party’s liability caused your accident, you may be able to recover compensation for these damages:
- Current and future costs of medical treatment
- Lost wages for any period of time when you were unable to work because of your injuries
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
As part of their services, a car accident lawyer can collect evidence of the value of your damages. This can help create a presentation to the responsible party’s insurance company during settlement negotiations. This evidence may include things such as:
- Your medical records and bills
- Testimony from medical experts on your estimated future costs of care
- Documentation of your lost wages
- Car repair or replacement invoices
- Receipts for other out-of-pocket expenses
Contact Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices Today
If you were involved in a car accident in Los Angeles, you do not need to face the insurance companies alone. A car accident lawyer from Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices can deal with your insurance companies. We can also handle all of the legal work in your case. This means you can focus your time and energy on recovering from your injuries.
Our attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers Injury Lawyers, headquartered in Los Angeles, cover an extensive service area that includes California cities like Sacramento, Bakersfield, San Bernardino, Oakland, and San Diego.
For a free case review with a member of our car accident team, call Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices today at (866) 559-7223. We encourage you to call as soon as possible after your accident, as California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1 sets a general two-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits in California.
Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices works on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning you will not owe us attorney fees unless and until we can get you compensation for your injuries.