However, if you suffered a serious injury, such as a traumatic brain injury, or experienced verifiable pain and suffering from an accident, you should carefully consider hiring a lawyer. In this situation, it can be hard for you as a car accident victim to negotiate with the insurance company without legal advice.
Every state has a statute of limitations for filing both liability and property-damage car accident claims, and this limit can range from one to six years. The type of car accident claim also affects how long after an accident you can sue. After the date of the accident is beyond the statute of limitations, you canβt sue the at-fault party.
Most car accident cases that go to litigation are injury cases, and most car accident lawyers are personal injury lawyers. If you only suffered property damage, you can find a lawyer to file a property damage lawsuit.
Lawyers are trained to get the highest possible value out of your claim and inform you of your legal rights. Most personal injury law firms charge a contingency fee on the condition that they win the case. These fees can range from 25 to 40 percent, but they are most often around 30 percent.
It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months (or years) for a car accident case to settle. There is plenty to investigate on each party's end, and if you suffered extensive injuries and property damage, this could explain why the settlement process is lengthy.
Steps to Respond to a Low Settlement OfferRemain Calm and Analyze Your Offer. Just like anything in life, it's never a good idea to respond emotionally after receiving a low offer. ... Ask Questions. ... Present the Facts. ... Develop a Counteroffer. ... Respond in Writing.
Accepting the insurance provider's first offer is almost never a good idea, especially if the settlement involves financial reimbursement for injury, pain and suffering, or substantial property damage. Instead, it is wise to seek help from an attorney specializing in insurance settlements.
8 Auto Accident Settlement Negotiation TipsInitiate a Claim as Soon as Possible After an Auto Accident.Keep Accurate Records About the Accident.Calculate a Fair Settlement.Send a Detailed Demand Letter to the Insurance Company.Do Not Accept the First Offer.Emphasize the Points in Your Favor.Get Everything in Writing.More items...