Biggest Mistakes People Make in Car Accident Claims

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

After your car has been towed and you have been to the doctor comes the part of a car accident most people hate the most, dealing with insurance. While every car accident is different, there are several common mistakes that people make when they have a car accident claim.

Not Doing Your Own Research on Your Vehicle

If your vehicle has been totaled by insurance you are going to have to figure out the its value. Often, the insurance company will do that for you. The mistake many people make is to simply accept the insurance company’s value without doing their own research.

An offer from the insurance company is just an offer. If you can demonstrate your car was worth more than they are offering, you may be able to get more for your car.

Negotiating a Settlement Yourself

On a basic level it doesn’t seem like it should be that hard to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company for property damage, your medical costs, and your pain and suffering. After all you have access to all the data, and you were the one in the accident.

However, you often do not have all the data. You may have been in a handful of car accidents in your life, but the adjustor you are dealing with has dealt with hundreds, if not more, car accidents. They also have data from tens of thousands of car accidents that tells them what people are willing to settle for. They may also have uncovered facts in their investigation that you do not have.

It is a mistake to try and negotiate your own settlement. Personal injury law is complex, and the insurance companies understand it much better than you do.

Taking Too Long to Consult with a Lawyer

Sometimes life gets busy and the insurance company is too difficult to deal with to get a case settled. The weeks turn into months, and the months start to turn into years. Illinois has a strict time limit on when car accident claims must be filed to preserve your rights.

Many people wait too long to get a lawyer involved. This can result in the loss of important evidence, the need to file a lawsuit quickly, or in the worst cases, the loss of any chance of collecting compensation for your injuries.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car accident, you need to talk with a skilled and experienced Lake County personal injury lawyer. You only have so much time to bring a claim. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP at 847-662-3303 to schedule a free consultation today.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=073500050K13-202