When you are involved in an accident due to the negligent actions of another driver, you may assume that recovering compensation for the damages is as simple as submitting a claim to the insurance company and receiving a check in the mail. Unfortunately, if this reflects your circumstances, you may soon find how difficult insurance companies can be to deal with. If you have considered negotiating your accident settlement without the assistance of a Sacramento auto accident lawyer, you’ll want to keep reading to learn why you should reconsider this decision.
What Can I Do After an Accident to Strengthen My Case?
When you are involved in a car accident, it’s important to understand that the steps you take in the aftermath can have a considerable impact on the outcome of your case. As such, the most important thing you can do is call emergency services to request a police presence and emergency medical technicians. The police will compile a report at the scene, while the EMTs can examine you for injury. This is critical, as it helps establish immediate medical care following the accident.
Next, you should take as many photos and videos of the accident scene as possible. This can help capture important evidence, like the damage to both vehicles, the positioning of the cars on the road, and any road conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
Should I Try to Negotiate With Insurance Companies on My Own?
Though negotiating a settlement amount with an insurance company on your own may seem easy enough, it’s imperative to understand that this process can be incredibly difficult. The first offer you receive from the negligent party’s insurance following an accident will generally be very low. This is done in the hopes you aren’t familiar with the true value of your claim and will accept the first offer to start paying back medical bills. As such, without an attorney, you may not know if the offer from the insurer is legitimate.
Additionally, if you have sustained non-economic damages as a result of the negligent party’s actions, you’ll find the insurer is likely to dispute the true value of these claims. However, by working with an attorney, they can help ensure that the full value of your losses is not only represented but well documented to support their counter-offer to the insurance company.
Finally, if you cannot reach a settlement agreement with the insurance company, your case will go to trial. Ensuring you have an experienced attorney on your side who can help you in the fight for the compensation you deserve is critical if you must go before a judge. Trying to argue in court without a lawyer most often yields unfavorable outcomes.
As you can see, navigating a settlement without the assistance of an attorney can be an incredibly difficult experience and can cost you in the long run. It is in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney from the Law Offices of Dale R. Gomes to explore your legal options when you are injured due to the negligent actions of another person. Contact us today to learn more.