How Can I Settle a Car Accident Claim for Damage and Personal Injury?
If I am involved in a car accident, I am concerned about two things. First, who is going to fix my car and fix it right? Second, who is going to pay for my medical bills, lost wages, pain & suffering, and other losses that I have incurred as a direct result of the crash? While the answers to these two questions may be easy for a St. Louis car accident attorney to answer, for the lay person who has never gone through a traumatic ordeal like a car crash, the answers most often come only after being toyed with by an insurance claims adjuster.
First it is important to understand the interplay between all insurance companies that may become involved in the claim following a car accident. The first two that come to mind are YOUR insurance company and THEIR insurance company. But often times our St. Louis personal injury lawyers find coverage outside of these first two regulars. Persons living in your home, the defendant's home, or passengers in the vehicles may also have insurance policies that could theoretically have a financial stake in the property damage claim and/or bodily injury claim. Do you think that an insurance adjuster is going to advise you on all claims for compensation that you may have? Hardly. It takes the skill and experience of a dedicated car accident injury lawyer to roll up his or her sleeves and investigate ALL insurance companies that may have a stake in the claim. Otherwise, if you are seriously injured, you may be forfeiting full compensation for your claims.
It is also important to note that as to the claim for damage to your vehicle, you are allowed to have your OWN insurance company repair your vehicle. Sometimes this is easier and a more pleasant experience, as the insurance company that represents the negligent driver is always going to be adversarial from the start. However, if you are dealing with an uninsured motorist car accident, your OWN insurance company may become the adversary. In either case, it is wise to seek the advice of a lawyer to determine the most efficient and effective means of obtaining a fair settlement for your claims.
Claims for bodily injury are always fought hard by the insurance companies. This is primarily because a claim for personal injuries is an intangible type of claim, whereas a claim for damage to your vehicle is tangible. In essence, you can kick the tires of a car, and there is a nationally accepted value estimation system for damage to a vehicle and its worth. Don't let the insurance industry roll over you. Call the St. Louis car accident victim information center at (866) 840-3636 or (314) 448-0934.
First it is important to understand the interplay between all insurance companies that may become involved in the claim following a car accident. The first two that come to mind are YOUR insurance company and THEIR insurance company. But often times our St. Louis personal injury lawyers find coverage outside of these first two regulars. Persons living in your home, the defendant's home, or passengers in the vehicles may also have insurance policies that could theoretically have a financial stake in the property damage claim and/or bodily injury claim. Do you think that an insurance adjuster is going to advise you on all claims for compensation that you may have? Hardly. It takes the skill and experience of a dedicated car accident injury lawyer to roll up his or her sleeves and investigate ALL insurance companies that may have a stake in the claim. Otherwise, if you are seriously injured, you may be forfeiting full compensation for your claims.
It is also important to note that as to the claim for damage to your vehicle, you are allowed to have your OWN insurance company repair your vehicle. Sometimes this is easier and a more pleasant experience, as the insurance company that represents the negligent driver is always going to be adversarial from the start. However, if you are dealing with an uninsured motorist car accident, your OWN insurance company may become the adversary. In either case, it is wise to seek the advice of a lawyer to determine the most efficient and effective means of obtaining a fair settlement for your claims.
Claims for bodily injury are always fought hard by the insurance companies. This is primarily because a claim for personal injuries is an intangible type of claim, whereas a claim for damage to your vehicle is tangible. In essence, you can kick the tires of a car, and there is a nationally accepted value estimation system for damage to a vehicle and its worth. Don't let the insurance industry roll over you. Call the St. Louis car accident victim information center at (866) 840-3636 or (314) 448-0934.
