What are the different results in a car accident case?

If you’ve been the unfortunate victim of a car accident, it’s wise to know what your options are and what to expect. You don’t have to hire an attorney for your injuries, but if you’ve in a high-impact accident or if you’re feeling pain because of the crash, it’s a good idea to at least speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible about your collision.

Below is a brief explanation of the different types of results you can expect after an accident.

1. “Let the Insurance Companies Figure Things Out”

Some people decide to just “let the insurance companies figure things out.” The problem with this type of approach is that you don’t have anyone representing your own interests. The other party’s insurance carrier isn’t looking out for you and even your own insurance carrier isn’t looking out for you. Neither of them have a duty to do what is best for you. If you hire a personal injury lawyer, your attorney has the duty to advocate for you and do what is in your best interests. If you let the insurance companies figure things out, you almost certainly won’t be compensated fairly.

2. Pursue Nothing

You don’t have to pursue any type of compensation after a collision. If you only want to get your car fixed, that’s all you have to do. Even if you’re injured, you don’t have to pursue any type of compensation from the other party or from your own insurance policy. If you decide not to pursue anything, you won’t get compensated. If you decide to pursue something in the future, it may be too late if you have waited too long. If you feel like you have been injured, it’s important that you speak to an attorney to preserve your rights, and your case.

3. Settle With The Insurance Company

Whether you retain an attorney or not, you can settle with the insurance company for what they offer. Generally speaking, you can recover more money if you have an attorney even after attorney’s fees. If you handle the case on your own the chances are high that you are not being compensated fully for your injuries and you are leaving money on the table. If you hire an attorney, your attorney will give you advice on what you should do to make sure that you are able to get compensated fairly for your injuries. The adjuster handling your case was hired to pay you as little as possible so the insurance company can save as much money as possible. It is wise to have an attorney handle your case so you can recover as much as possible.

4. Take the Case to Trial and to Verdict

If the insurance company continues to refuse to offer a fair settlement for your case, you can take your case to trial and let the jury decide on how much you should receive. If you go to trial, your attorney will present your case for you to the jury and the insurance company’s attorney will try to diminish the value of your case as much as possible. In the end, the jury will decide who to believe and decide how much to award you if anything. The verdict can be much more than you expect, but unfortunately it can be much less. It is important to hire an attorney that will be willing to take your case the distance in the event the insurance company has little or nothing to offer.

The above was merely a general overview about what you can expect. The process is much more complex than described, but it should give you a good idea of what to anticipate. If you have any questions about your own case, feel free to call us at (626) 337-1111.

By West Covina Car Accident Lawyer, Lem Garcia