It’s a sad-but-true fact that most drivers end up in a car accident at some point during their lives. And if you end being in an accident and getting hurt, it’s extremely important that you be well informed about filing an auto accident injury claim. Accident injury claims are your best chance of getting a settlement that is fair and can cover your injuries — without a protracted legal battle. Here’s what you should know about them:
- Claims Are Not the Same as Lawsuits
An auto accident injury claim isn’t the same thing as an auto accident injury lawsuit. Before you file a lawsuit, it’s normally a good idea to file a claim with the appropriate insurance company. If all goes well, you can avoid a long court battle.
- You May Still Want to Hire an Attorney
Just because you don’t want to file a lawsuit immediately doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consult with an attorney. Experienced injury attorneys help their clients with many aspects of recovering the money they need after an injury, not just trials.
- A Good Demand Letter Is Paramount
One of those components of a case you will probably want an attorney’s help with is your demand letter. This letter lays out why you think you should receive compensation and what that compensation should be. The stronger it is, the less likely you are to end up in lengthy negotiations.
- There Are No Standard Settlements
There’s no big chart of car accident settlements that matches up certain injuries with corresponding amounts of money. Valuing a claim is a complex process that depends on numerous factors.
- You’ll Need to Find Strong Evidence
The most influential thing you can do to increase that settlement amount is provide solid evidence of what happened and why you should receive your requested amount of money. The stronger of a case you can build, the less eager the other party will be to see the matter decided in court.
What else should drivers know about injury claims? Share your thoughts in the comments.
