Anyone who has been involved in an auto crash knows the importance of having adequate car insurance. What they may not know, is how car insurance may impact their rights. Knowing your rights as they pertain to automobile insurance may help protect you from being taken advantage of by the other driver or their insurance company. Insurance plays a critical role in personal injury cases. Insurance companies may provide the financial resources necessary to cover the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, and other damages associated with a personal injury.
When a person is injured in a car crash, frequently they will seek medical care and may even be unable to work. These factors may create a financial burden on the victim, who may not be able to cover the costs associated with the injury. Insurance companies are often the “go-to” to provide the financial resources necessary to cover the costs associated with medical care and lost wages. In some cases, insurance companies may also provide additional compensation for pain and suffering resulting from the injury.
Insurance companies provide the resources to cover settling a personal injury case. This helps the person who is at fault for the crash by allowing them to offer compensation without a lengthy trial. Someone injured in a car crash must follow certain steps and those steps depend on the type of coverage the negligent driver has. There are some common elements that will typically be seen.
The Accident Will Be Investigated. One insurance company and sometimes both will investigate the accident to determine fault. This investigation may involve gathering witness statements from other drivers and any passengers involved and may examine other evidence like as photographs or videos of the scene. Once the insurer determines fault, they begin the actual claims process. This is when they work with the victim or their advocate to reach a compensation settlement. The insurance company will usually cover some or all of the medical expenses related to the accident, and may cover lost wages along with paying for property damage. California law allows pain and suffering and there are jury instructions for it.
Proving Damages As A Result Of A Crash. You must prove damages. Insurance companies place the burden of proof on the injured party to provide evidence of the damage caused by the crash. This includes medical records, bills, police reports and the insurance company may require the injured person to fill out a detailed questionnaire about their injuries, medical treatments, and other related expenses. Once the insurer has reviewed the documentation, they will make a decision about compensation. Generally speaking, insurance companies will offer a settlement based on the amount of medical bills, lost wages, and other damages incurred by the injured person. If the injured person is not satisfied with the settlement offered, they may be able to negotiate a higher amount.
The Injured Party Will Sign A Release. The insurance company offering compensation will require the injured party to sign a Release which absolves both the insurance company and the at-fault party of further liability. Once this document is signed, the insurance company will typically pay out the settlement. Be aware, you can only settle your case once and this is why it’s critically important to know the full extent of your injuries before this process takes place.
Maintaining auto insurance is more than protecting yourself in the event of a crash. Car insurance may also provide you with a way to be compensated for any losses that you incur should the at fault driver not have sufficient coverage or completely lack insurance which is more common than ever in California. It’s essential for anyone who has been injured in a car crash to understand exactly what insurance will cover and the limits of their liability. When a crash victim works directly with an insurance adjuster, they may not get the information they should, that information may be intentionally confusing and may not be as accurate as it would be if they had worked through an attorney.
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com
