A car accident settlement is a stage when both parties, including the insurance company and the victim, reach an agreement with mutual understanding. If a car accident settlement is done outside the court, then it will save a lot of resources for both parties, including time and money. However, deciding whether to pursue a trial or a settlement is not an easy task. Hiring an insurance car accident claim Attorney helps you to make an informed decision depending on your specific situation. 

Stages of a car accident settlement process!

• Set realistic expectations 

The first stage of the insurance car accident claim process is to identify the costs that the insurance can cover. If you understand whether the claim will settle all the expenses or you have to pay from your pocket, then you can easily manage your expectations while making an informed decision. Having realistic expectations at the start of the process leads to less stress, so you will end up making an informed decision.

• Filing an insurance car accident claim

If you have not yet filed the accident claim, it is time to prepare to file the claim. This was only caused by the negligence of the other driver. Your hired personal injury car accident settlement attorney will file the claim on your behalf successfully. Your attorney will monitor the deadlines and will notify the insurance company within the timeframe for a successful settlement process. 

• Case investigations

Once you file the car accident claim, the insurance company investigates the accident to evaluate the liability and responsibility. The company will also define the damages caused and will break down the investigation process into liability and damages.

Liability is the part of the investigation process in which an insurance claims adjuster determines the cause of the accident. Some of the evidence that the company collects is videos, photos, statements made by witnesses, and the official police report that is made after the accident. 

• Insurance policy review

The review determines who will pay for the medical bills, property damages, and other damages. If one driver is entirely at fault, then the driver’s insurance policy will pay for all damages. If the driver was at 80% fault, then the policy will pay 80% of the amount only.

In a no-fault state, the drivers' insurance policies will pay for the damage and medical bills caused by an accident. An attorney will review both the state and language laws of the involved policies to ensure the end payout is accurately determined.

• Demand for settlement

Once the review part is done, the attorney will send a demand to the insurance company. After sending the demand letter, negotiations are done by both parties, and later, both parties reach an agreement that works in favour of both the policy provider and holder. To get a better deal from the company, the policyholder should work with an attorney to secure a better deal that works in their best interests.

If the settlement is finalised by negotiation, then the policyholder will get the compensation; otherwise, the case will go to trial, and further legal actions will be taken to settle.