7 Ways to Navigate Compensation Claims after a Car Mishap

When you or your loved one are involved in an accident, you must act swiftly to get fair compensation for your losses. You must act quickly because of the statute of limitations, which ranges from two to seven years in the United States. 

Once the allowed time limit has passed, you cannot file a claim against the allegedly negligent party again. For instance, Wisconsin gives residents three years to file a car accident compensation claim. However, you must be bold about it because the collection of evidence and negotiation process takes longer than you can imagine. 

Also, you must allow time to institute a lawsuit if the settlement breaks down. Hence, delaying the process is like deliberately playing into the defendant’s hands. 

Most importantly, you must work with reliable and trustworthy personal injury attorneys. They offer free consultations to know the best approach to get results for your case. 

This article discusses some ways to navigate the complicated legal process:

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

You must prioritize your health and safety in all circumstances. Furthermore, you require evidence of wounds to file an auto accident injury claim and qualify for damages. The medical records must establish a relationship between your health status and the accident. 

Similarly, medical records are essential to calculating the true worth of your claim. It prevents you from guesswork and other claims that the defendant can quickly deflate. 

Ultimately, do not hesitate to seek medical intervention because delay may give insurance adjusters the leverage to argue that your injuries are unrelated to the crash. 

Record the Evidence

The burden of proof is on you, the plaintiff, in a car accident case. Hence, you must gather evidence immediately after the crash to build a strong case. 

After ensuring your safety, call the police immediately. A police report gives credence to your argument. 

Then, snap photos will help validate the defendant’s liability. The photos should capture the traffic signs the defendant might have overlooked, poor road conditions, and any other signage. 

Speak with any available witnesses. Collect their name, address, and contact details. 

Document Damages and Losses

The severity of wounds, extent of damages, and other losses determine auto accident compensations. You must present proof of the losses to stand a chance of recovering any damages. “The quality and amount of evidence you gather will determine the outcome of your claim,” says worker’s compensation attorney Gregory J. Perenich of Perenich Law Injury Attorneys. “This is why documentation is indispensable in the entire process.”

Hence, you must get a physician's note, police report, and medical records. You must also keep receipts to show proof of lost earnings and other financial woes. Contact independent dealers for repair estimates. 

These processes will be tedious, especially if you are still nursing wounds. That is why you should engage a proven personal injury attorney to gather evidence while you heal. 

Contact Your Insurer

It is crucial to tell your insurance provider immediately after an accident. One of the reasons for this proactive step is that damages could be more significant than you first imagined. Further, the at-fault party's insurer will deploy every trick to undervalue your claim. 

Additionally, the guilty motorist may not have sufficient insurance to settle the damages, or they may not have insurance altogether. If your policy carrier is aware early enough, they will know how to draft the best compensation plan. 

Speak with Your Lawyer

While you can decide to negotiate auto accident compensation without a lawyer's guidance, it is a slippery step that can backfire. Those who take this route end up with demeaning compensation. 

Moreover, you need time to heal to prevent the injuries from worsening. Thus, allowing a reliable personal injury attorney to handle the case is logical for you to recuperate quickly. 

The lawyer will creatively explore the law to negotiate fair compensation for you by considering all indices. They will liaise with all relevant stakeholders and experts to secure the best deal for you. 

Negotiate a Settlement

The at-fault party's insurer will initiate a settlement process and would like to wrap up the process within a few days. However, it is impossible to dance to their tune as you need to gather evidence and document the wounds carefully. The process often takes several weeks. 

Medical expenses, vehicular damage, medical equipment, personal property damage, medical appointments, and non-pecuniary expenses will determine the total compensation. 

Go for a Full Trial

Some out-of-court settlements break down along the way. For example, you may need to proceed to trial if the claimed amount surpasses the guilty party’s insurance. Some parties are also unable to agree on a fair settlement. Proceeding to trial is the best way in such circumstances. 

Your attorney will institute a lawsuit in a law court to initiate a trial. The judge or jury will consider available evidence to judge the case. While full trials are comprehensive, they usually take several months to complete. 

Conclusion

Because the burden of proof is solely on the plaintiff, auto accident claims are often demanding and hectic. However, thorough preparation sets you up for a fair deal. You should collect raw evidence, engage a result-driven personal injury attorney, and follow through with the process. 

Focus on your healing while the lawyer works hard to give you the deserved outcome!