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You’re on the road heading to work or home; before you know or do anything about it, someone rear-ends you or does something reckless. You’re in pain and can still hear echoes of screeching brakes and breaking glass. What next?
The next logical step is to seek medical help, record a statement with the police and contact your insurance provider. You’ve probably never been in an accident before, and all of it might seem confusing.
So how do you get the proper settlement amount for a car accident in Washington, and how do you ensure you get the maximum possible amount commensurate with the amount of loss suffered?
Read on to find out how a Personal injury attorney can assist you!
What determines the settlement amount for a Car accident?
After the accident, and if the offending party’s insurer has reason to believe their client was solely responsible for the accident, the insurance adjuster may float some settlement offers. They may also request to interview you, but you should first consult an experienced lawyer from Hess Law Office, PLLC, before agreeing to their request.
Some of the factors that influence the settlement for a car accident include:
The amount of property damage
The amount of property damage is the cost of repairing or replacing your car and any other property damage (e.g., fences, walls, etc.).
The value of each damaged item can be determined by conducting an inspection when filing your claim with the insurance company. The insurer’s agents usually do the inspection.
Financial loss resulting from the incident
One of the essential factors in determining a settlement amount is how much money the victim losses due to the accident.
Victims of car accidents can generally expect to lose their wages for some time after the incident as they may be unable to work for weeks or even months after getting hurt in a car accident, not to mention loss from damage to the car.
Any other expenses the victim incurs in the hospital are also factored into the total amount.
Severity of injuries
The less severe the injuries, the lower the compensation may be awarded. The reasoning is that less severe injuries do not cause much suffering or loss to the victim, and a relatively low settlement would suffice.
On the other hand, injuries that do not immediately cause death or permanent severe disability result in significantly higher financial losses to the victim, especially if they require extensive rehabilitation. Therefore, the settlement amount may be more for such types.
Additionally, the pain and suffering one goes through after the crash can be considered when determining the total settlement amount.
Any contributory negligence
Contributory negligence is related to how much responsibility you have for causing an accident in which you were involved. For instance, any evidence that suggests you were driving under the influence and violating any traffic laws may support the theory that you played a part in causing the accident.
The truth is all insurers are in it for profit, and their investigating agents and adjusters are trained to look for and exploit any loopholes in your case that would support a lower settlement.
This is why you should consult an experienced lawyer before accepting an interview with any insurance adjuster or their representatives.
The strength of your allegations
Most settlements for car accidents are done out of court, with the offending party’s insurer opting to offer the victim what they would consider fair damages for their loss and injuries. However, their willingness to offer better settlements is pegged upon your ability to prove that you have a strong case against their client.
If you can prove beyond reasonable doubt that you were the victim of negligence or recklessness on the part of another party, you are more likely to receive a larger settlement than if you simply allege that someone was at fault.
Reports by the investigating officer, photos, videos, or other evidence that supports your allegations can help prove your case and get you a larger settlement.
Conclusion
Insurance companies know that many people don’t understand how the system works and will accept whatever they are given without negotiating further.
There’s also no such thing as an “average” case, and you are likely leaving money on the table if you go it alone without a Hess Law Office, PLLC personal injury attorney who has experience negotiating with insurance companies that profit from your ignorance.
If you have been in a car accident and need to find out how much your case is worth before taking legal action, contact them today!
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