Trying to figure out how to get the most money from an insurance company after a car accident? Let me explain.
As every accident victim should, you’re probably filing a claim for compensation. But here’s the problem…
Insurance companies are in the business of not paying out large claims. They have teams of adjusters who are trained to save money for the company and reduce your payout.
The good news is that having the right lawyer for car accident cases can make a huge difference.
Statistics show that victims with attorneys receive settlements nearly three times higher than those without legal representation.
If you don’t have an attorney, you could be leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table. Let’s change that today.
What You’ll Learn:
- Insurance companies use tactics to lowball your settlement offer
- Lawyers use formulas to calculate maximum possible compensation
- The personal injury lawyer qualities to look for when hiring legal help
- The type of evidence that leads to maximum compensation
- Why trial experience matters during settlement negotiations
- When a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary
Why Insurance Companies Will Fight Your Claim
Insurance companies have adjusters for a reason. It’s their job to fight your claim.
Remember that insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. They’re going to use every tactic they can think of to pay you as little as possible.
Some of these tactics include early settlement offers and recorded statements. The goal of these strategies is to lower the value of your claim.
If you don’t know what your claim is worth, you might be tricked into accepting a low offer. Insurance companies count on that.
When dealing with car accident injuries, every detail of your case matters.
Don’t let them take advantage of you. It’s time to learn how to fight back.
How to Calculate Maximum Possible Compensation
Determining maximum possible compensation isn’t an exact science. But there are proven methods of determining the value of your case.
The first thing every car accident attorney will do is break down your damages. This includes both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic losses include things like medical bills and lost wages. It can also include property damage and rehab costs.
Non-economic losses are things like pain and suffering. They also account for emotional distress and reduced quality of life.
Calculating maximum possible compensation doesn’t end with the here and now. Future expenses are just as important as current ones.
When calculating your maximum possible compensation, the best personal injury attorneys will project future medical costs, continued therapy, and how your injuries will impact your ability to work for many years into the future.
The Personal Injury Attorney Qualities to Look For
One of the first questions I get is how to choose the right lawyer for car accident cases.
First of all, make sure you find someone who does these kinds of cases regularly. The more experience they have with car accidents, the better.
Experience is important, but it’s not the only thing. You should also make sure your attorney has a history of good results in car accident cases.
If they can’t show that they’ve won before, it’s a sign they don’t have much experience.
Look for an attorney who has a track record of getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve. If they don’t have a history of fighting insurance companies, it’s unlikely they will now.
Check out their track record. Look at how many cases they’ve taken to trial. Are they prepared to go to court if needed, or do they just settle every case?
This is the final point. Insurance companies are well aware of which personal injury attorneys are most likely to take cases to trial.
If your attorney has a reputation for following through on that, the insurance company is going to be more willing to offer a fair settlement.
The Evidence That Leads To Maximum Compensation
The best accident attorneys know exactly what evidence they need to get the maximum compensation for their clients.
Here are the things they collect to help build a winning case:
- Police reports
- Accident reconstruction
- Witness contact info
- Photos of the collision and vehicle damage
- Expert testimony when necessary
The one important thing to note here is that the evidence-gathering process starts immediately after your accident.
The longer you wait, the less likely it will be possible to collect all the necessary proof. Witnesses disappear. Security camera footage gets erased. Your attorney needs access to it while it’s still available.
Get in contact with your lawyer as soon as you’re ready.
The Negotiation Process That Gets Results
Negotiations are where car accident attorneys really make a difference.
The vast majority of personal injury cases settle before going to trial. The figure is around 95% of cases.
If your case settles, it never even sees the inside of a courtroom. It also means your attorney’s negotiation skills will have a direct impact on your final payout.
When your attorney negotiates, it starts with a detailed demand letter. This letter explains and justifies all of your damages.
It’s also supported by evidence like photos and medical bills. The demand letter shows the insurance company why you deserve maximum compensation.
From here, it’s a back and forth process. The insurance adjusters will inevitably counter with a lowball offer.
You’ll see offers that are far below what you deserve. Your lawyer will counter back with arguments and evidence that prove you’re worth more.
This process will continue until both parties reach an agreement or decide to go to court.
The key is that experienced attorneys know when an offer is fair and when to hold firm. They’re also familiar with what similar cases have settled for and know what’s appropriate.
This knowledge allows them to prevent you from accepting less than you deserve.
When a Lawsuit May Be Necessary
Insurance companies are in business to make money, not to pay out large claims. Sometimes they will fight you no matter what.
If settlement negotiations have been fruitless, your attorney may decide to file a lawsuit. Don’t worry – most cases will still settle before trial.
The fact that your lawyer has the resources to go to court if necessary matters in these situations.
Insurance companies know which personal injury lawyers are most likely to take cases to trial.
If they believe you have an attorney who will fight to the bitter end, it will almost always result in better settlement offers.
Wrapping Things Up
If you have been involved in a car accident, chances are you have questions about the maximum amount of compensation you could receive.
Insurance companies have whole teams of people dedicated to not paying out large sums of money to victims.
Fighting them on your own is a major disadvantage. They have the experience and resources you don’t.
The statistics speak for themselves. People with attorneys recover far more in their personal injury claims than those without legal representation.
That amount is often far more than the cost of an attorney would be.
Let’s recap…
- Insurance companies use tactics to lower your payout
- Lawyers know how to calculate maximum possible compensation
- The personal injury attorney qualities to look for when hiring
- The type of evidence that leads to maximum compensation
- Why trial experience matters during settlement negotiations
- When a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary
As you can see, hiring the right lawyer for car accident cases is one of the most important decisions you can make after an accident.
Take the time to research their track record and past results. Are they the type of attorney who will fight for you?
It’s your recovery on the line, so don’t let insurance companies take advantage of your situation.
