Receiving a settlement following a car crash is hard work. But certain mistakes can slow down the process, increasing the financial pressure felt by injured victims and their families to take the first settlement offer. At The Stano Law Firm, we are committed to helping accident victims seek financial compensation and a measure of justice in the claims process.
We know this is a difficult time for our clients, who are filled with doubts while facing financial stress. Our Houston car accident lawyers can get together to discuss what steps to take to improve your chances of winning a settlement. Contact us to schedule your free consultation.
Mistake #1: You Don’t Report the Accident to the Police
Calling the police is required by law. But it also has benefits for your personal injury claim. The responding officer should draft a police report, which contains important information for an insurance claim, such as where the accident happened and when. Without a report, you will delay the claims process as the insurance companies try to piece together details about the accident.
Mistake #2: You Self-Diagnose Your Injuries
A major source of contention in personal injury cases is the severity of your injuries. An insurance company will not simply accept your first-hand information that you feel pain or that you can’t get out of bed. They also want supporting documentation, such as x-rays and doctor’s notes.
Go to the hospital. Professional medical care will aid with recovery, while also boosting your chances of negotiating a settlement. Full medical documentation is the foundation of many successful car accident cases.
Mistake #3: You Do Not Document Economic Losses
Car accident victims can receive compensation for car repairs, medical bills, rehab, prescription medication, and lost wages. These are some of the most common economic losses. However, you need to prove the full amount you have lost due to the collision. That means proper documentation:
- Was your car repaired? Get a bill from the body shop or mechanic. If it hasn’t been repaired yet, or if it’s a total loss, then gather other documentation, such as a repair estimate.
- Did you receive medical care? Keep all bills and receipts for things like prescriptions and crutches, as well as bills from a doctor or the hospital.
- Job loss? You need to document how much income or wages you lost because you could not work. Even self-employed people need to prove how much they could have made if they were not injured. Find a recent paystub or, if self-employed, share bank records with your legal team.
Without proper documentation, an insurance company will refuse to settle for a fair amount because they have no idea how much the accident has really cost you. Your attorney will also have a hard time increasing the amount available.
Mistake #4: You Try to Negotiate Your Own Claim
Insurance companies would love nothing better than for injured motorists to attempt to settle their own accident claims. Few people are qualified to do this. An insurance company knows they can:
- Drag out the investigation because you probably don’t know your rights under the law.
- Offer a low settlement because you likely have no idea how much your injuries are worth.
- Force you to litigate in court, where you might not know how to even file a legal pleading.
Insurers take these steps to increase the financial stress an accident victim feels. Anyone with serious bodily injuries will probably need to spend time at home, which means no income is coming in the door. Bills continue to pile up, and the victim and their family need money fast.
Without a lawyer, accident victims will have a hard time getting a fair settlement. We recommend reaching out to an attorney quickly. A lawyer can help with all the other steps involved in a car accident claim, such as evidence gathering and proving the full economic loss. Our firm is happy to meet at any time to go over what you know about the accident.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with The Stano Law Firm
Accident victims with lawyers typically receive more compensation; they are usually more satisfied with the claims process on top of that. Let a lawyer handle the legal side of the case. You and your family can remain focused on healing and getting your life back in order following a devastating car accident. We are only a phone call away. Call 832-777-0390 today to schedule a consultation with our office.