When you are injured in a car accident caused by another driver on your way home from Vons, Lowe’s, or another location in Henderson, you are entitled to be compensated for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering from this driver. However, settling your claim with his insurance company may involve much more than just filing your claim and receiving a settlement check. Here, we explain the basic steps of how auto collision settlements work.
How Does the Settlement Process Work in Henderson Auto Accident Cases?
While some settlements following a car wreck will go smoothly and be completed quickly, others can be much more complicated and take a lengthy period to resolve. Understanding the stages in settling a claim can help you be realistic about your own claim. Hiring an experienced car accident attorney in Henderson is essential to protecting your rights and ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve. Here are the basic steps in most cases:
Filing Your Car Accident Claim And Verifying Insurance Coverage
Your attorney will notify the negligent driver’s insurance company and any other potentially liable insurance companies of your claim and his representation of you. He will also obtain copies of the insurance policies and coverage limits to determine how much insurance is available to compensate you for your injuries. In some cases, this can include filing a claim with your own insurance company.
Investigating Your Car Accident Case
Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of the cause of your accident and begin collecting evidence to prove your right to compensation. This can include obtaining a copy of the police report, photographs of the accident scene and damage to the vehicles, medical reports and bills, and documentation of your lost wages. He will also interview witnesses to your crash and obtain statements from them.
Medical Treatment Following Your Car Accident
Your medical treatment and recovery from your injuries is an important part of the settlement process. Your attorney will most likely want to wait until you have recovered from your injuries or have received a final prognosis from your doctor before attempting to settle your claim. It is important to wait until this stage of your medical care to ensure that all of your future medical expenses and lost wages are included in your settlement if you suffered long-term injuries or become permanently disabled.
Demand Letter From Your Car Accident Attorney
Once your medical treatment is at a stage where your attorney can accurately value your claim, he will prepare a demand letter and send it to the insurance company. This letter will outline your claim, provide evidence of the other driver’s fault in causing your accident, and itemize the medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering portions of your claim.
Negotiation With The Insurance Company
The insurance company will review your attorney’s demand letter and most likely send him a written response. Your attorney will then engage in negotiations with the insurance company to try to settle your claim. Depending on the disputes raised by the insurance adjuster, he may need to obtain additional evidence or retain expert witnesses to convince the insurance company that their reason for denying or reducing your claim is wrong.
Litigation If Needed
If your attorney is not able to settle your claim for what you are entitled to, he will file a lawsuit on your behalf and litigate your case. Your case could still be settled during some point in the litigation process without the need to go to jury trial.
Have You Been Involved In A Henderson Or Las Vegas Car Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Henderson office directly at 702.405.6000 to schedule a free initial consultation.