Sacramento car accident victims often hit roadblocks when seeking fair compensation from insurance companies after a crash. In an ideal world, the insurance company would make a reasonable assessment of the damages and pay. Reality often looks quite different, with insurers reluctant to make a fair settlement offer for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights during settlement negotiations and prevent you from missing out on the money you rightfully deserve.

What Is the Car Accident Claims Process?

In most California car accident cases, claims get filed with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You need evidence showing who was at fault, such as the police accident report and documentation of your injuries, to get the process underway.

After gathering evidence, the next step is to file your claim and wait for the insurance company to accept or deny it. If the insurance company approves your claim but offers less than what you think is fair, you can counter their offer to ask for more money. If the insurer still refuses to pay, you can file a car accident lawsuit to resolve the matter in court.

Common Mistakes Car Accident Victims Make During Insurance Negotiations

Some of the most common mistakes car accident victims make when entering insurance negotiations are:

  • Admitting fault – If you admit fault, even partially, the insurance company may reduce your payout based on California’s comparative negligence law.
  • Accepting the first offer – Insurance companies rarely offer a fair amount the first time around.
  • Not hiring a car accident attorney – Having a lawyer handle the negotiation process is the best way to maximize your compensation. Otherwise, you might unknowingly say something that jeopardizes your claim.

What To Do if Your Claim is Denied or Lowballed

If the insurance company makes a lowball settlement offer, an experienced car accident lawyer can fight back, demanding a higher offer and providing additional evidence justifying the fairness of your request. If settlement negotiations break down, your lawyer can discuss the pros and cons of filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Key Factors That Affect the Value of Your Claim

Important factors that can affect the value of a car accident claim include:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • Whether you suffered a permanent or long-term disability
  • The insurance policy limits of the at-fault driver and the number of people injured in the accident
  • Whether you were partially at fault for the accident

Why Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer is Essential

Getting a car accident attorney on your side prevents the insurance company from taking advantage of you during a vulnerable time. It also ensures that you ask for a fair amount of money to compensate for your losses. A skilled lawyer will place a fair value on your case by reviewing the facts and what similar cases have settled for in the past.

Contact Our Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers

The experienced car accident lawyers at Demas Law Group have over 30 years of legal experience and a history of recovering millions of dollars for our clients. If you suffered injuries in a Sacramento, CA auto accident, contact us today for a free consultation.