Find Out How Car Accident Settlements Work

Seemingly, every day we read about the details of car accidents and the often life-altering resulting injuries. The frequency of car crashes is not an illusion. Data from the Centers for Disease Control confirm that roughly 33,000 people lose their lives and another three (3) million are injured each year.

If you experience injuries from an auto accident that force you to miss work, would you be able to cover your medical bills in addition to your daily expenses? When you’re the victim of someone else’s negligence on the road, you have the right to demand that the person at fault cover the associated costs.

In this issue, we’ll talk specifically about how the car accident settlement process works.

What is the process for receiving my car accident settlement?

The short answer is that “it depends.”

You and your lawyer will most likely not be dealing directly with the person who caused the accident. Rather, you’ll be communicating primarily with their insurance provider, and it’s almost a guarantee that they’ll contact you shortly after the incident to offer a low-ball offer to settle.

We’ve talked previously about why you shouldn’t accept their low-ball offer. Why? Because the insurance company is primarily in business to make money. Their negotiators are trained in the art of getting victims to settle for less.

This is why it’s important to let your Alaska personal injury lawyer handle your case.

What is a personal injury claim?

If your lawyer and the insurance company are unable to reach a settlement, a personal injury lawsuit will most likely be filed on your behalf.

While a governmental agency (federal, state or local) will initiate lawsuits related to criminal cases, a personal injury case is launched when a private citizen files a complaint against someone else who has allegedly hurt them.

A personal injury case can be filed against another individual, a business or government agency.

What happens after my personal injury is filed?

Once your case is filed, the insurance company will enlist an adjuster to investigate the details of the accident, including road conditions, interviews with witnesses and your doctor.

Even though the personal injury lawsuit has been filed, a settlement is still possible before a decision or verdict is reached in a courtroom. In fact, many settlements are reached after a jury has begun their deliberations.

What are the advantages of reaching a settlement?

There are actually a host of advantages to both you and the defendant.

  • For you, a settlement means that you’ll get your money faster and will be able to avoid a drawn-out trial.
  • For the defendant, more details about the incident are kept out of the public eye and legal costs are kept under control.

If you’re injured by someone else, call Barber & Associates.

It’s definitely in your best interest to leverage the skills and expertise of a personal injury lawyer if someone else hurts you.

Here at Barber & Associates, we’ve worked hard to help other Alaskans recover millions in settlements and jury decisions, and we can do the same for you.

For an energetic and expert effort to defend your rights, get in touch with us.

The first meeting is always free, and you can reach us at 907-276-5858 or via email.

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