Just had a car accident? Don’t know what to do next?
You’re not alone. Every year, nearly 3 million people in the US are injured in car accidents. But that’s just the beginning.
Here’s the real scary stat…
Out of those 3 million injured victims, 2 million say their injuries were permanent.
You know what most of these accident victims have in common?
Not a single one of them has a clue what to do.
They end up taking a fraction of the compensation they deserve for their injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
It doesn’t have to be that way for you.
Because I’m about to share with you the secrets only lawyers know about car accident claims.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, read this…
What You Need To Know:
- Why time is of the essence in car accident cases
- How much your injury claim is worth
- How insurance companies value car accident settlements
- 7 mistakes that can destroy your claim
The First 72 Hours: Why They’re The Most Important
Let me let you in on a little secret…
The first 72 hours after your accident are the most important.
You see, the insurance adjusters are already stacking the deck against you.
The moment that wreck occurs, they start working to pay you as little as possible for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Here’s what you need to do as soon as possible:
- Seek medical attention, even if you think you’re fine (many injuries take days or weeks to show up)
- Document the accident scene with photos and videos
- File a police report, even if the accident was minor
- Contact a car accident attorney and don’t give any recorded statements without legal advice
Every year, 2.1 million people visit the emergency room as a result of car accident injuries. That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Did you know that many injuries aren’t immediately obvious?
Soft tissue damage, whiplash, traumatic brain injuries… these symptoms can take days, even weeks, to manifest.
If you delay medical treatment, the insurance companies will claim that your injuries must not have been serious. Or that they didn’t even come from the accident. That’s their goal.
How Much Your Injury Claim Is Actually Worth
Here’s where accident victims make their biggest mistake…
Accepting the insurance company’s first settlement offer without knowing the true value of their claim.
Insurance adjusters bank on the fact that most people have never been through this process before.
Your claim should cover:
- All medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
But here’s the thing…
Studies show that 10% of all crash survivors with even minor injuries end up with permanent medical impairments. In other words, even a simple fender bender can cause chronic pain or ongoing medical treatment for years to come.
The insurance companies don’t want you to know that. They want you to take a quick settlement check and go away before the true nature of your injuries becomes apparent.
How Insurance Companies Really Value Your Claim
Did you know that insurance adjusters have a different word for your claim?
They call it a “file” and treat it as a business transaction.
And here’s how they really value your claim:
They plug details about your accident, injuries, and treatment into specialized software. The program spits out the lowest settlement it thinks you’ll accept. Insurers consider factors such as:
- Your medical records and treatment history
- The nature and permanence of your injuries
- Whether you have a lawyer (claims with attorneys settle for 3-4x more on average)
- State laws and local jury verdict patterns
The average driver files an insurance claim once every 17.9 years. But the adjuster on the other end of the phone has dozens of cases on their desk every month.
You’re at a major disadvantage if you don’t have an experienced attorney on your side.
7 Mistakes That Destroy Your Injury Claim
Here are the 7 most common mistakes accident victims make…
Giving a recorded statement to the insurance company without legal advice first. Insurance adjusters know the questions to ask to lower or even deny your claim. Plus, anything you say can be used against you.
Accepting the first settlement offer. Initial offers are usually 20-50% of the true value of your claim. Insurance companies know most people are just happy to get a quick cash payout.
Posting on social media. A single photo of you smiling at a family barbecue? The insurance company will use it as “proof” that you’re not really hurt.
Signing medical authorizations. This gives the adjuster access to your entire medical history, which they’ll mine for pre-existing conditions they can use as an excuse.
Waiting too long to file a claim. Every state has a deadline called a statute of limitations for filing a car accident case. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue for damages.
The bottom line? These mistakes can cost you tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation.
When You Really Need A Car Accident Attorney
Now, before you freak out and hire a lawyer for every single fender bender…
Not every car accident requires legal representation.
You can probably handle yourself in cases like:
- Minor fender benders with no injuries
- The other driver is uninsured
- You’re at fault for the accident
- The damages are paid out of pocket by the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- The accident occurred on private property
But the moment someone was injured and needs medical treatment, you should get an attorney.
The same is true if there is any dispute about who caused the accident. You need someone on your side to gather evidence and build your case.
The Real Life Car Accident Settlement Process
Here’s how a typical car accident claim proceeds…
First, your attorney investigates the accident and collects evidence. This may include:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- Repair estimates for your vehicle
- Expert opinions from medical professionals
After the investigation is complete, your attorney will send a demand letter to the insurance company. The letter outlines the facts of the case and why you are entitled to the compensation you deserve. It will also include a specific dollar amount.
If the insurance company doesn’t accept the demand, negotiations begin. The insurance company will usually make a low counteroffer. Your attorney and the insurance adjuster will negotiate back and forth until they reach a settlement agreement.
In most cases, the insurance company and your lawyer will settle the case before it goes to trial. But if they can’t agree on a fair settlement, your case may go to court.
A judge or jury will then determine how much compensation you should receive. Trials can take much longer and are more expensive. But they also often result in much higher awards.
Wrapping It Up
Car accident claims are serious business with real financial consequences.
Don’t try to do this alone. Don’t let the insurance companies take advantage of you. And especially don’t accept a settlement before you have any idea what your claim is really worth.
Remember these 5 key points:
- Act quickly to preserve evidence and seek medical care
- Never accept the first settlement offer without getting it professionally evaluated
- Avoid the 7 mistakes that insurance companies use to destroy claims
- Get experienced legal representation when injuries are involved
Your recovery is what matters most.
Let the professionals take care of the legal complexities while you focus on what’s important.