If you or a loved one was involved in a San Diego car accident, you should consult an attorney right away. While you can represent yourself, many people often find out that they do not understand the legal procedures involved in litigation, settlement or mediation. Many plaintiffs do not know which documents to file, how to complete those forms and how to deal with insurance companies. Insurance companies are notorious for paying out as little as possible. Do not face insurance companies and their attorneys alone.

Not only is self-representation challenging, but it can also result in the claimant losing out on compensation. A 1999 study from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) shows that car accident victims represented by attorneys scored significantly higher settlements, including in cases like a rear-end collision settlement. Insurance companies have teams of attorneys ready to protect their bottom lines. With the help of a skilled car accident attorney, you can rest easy knowing you will get the highest reward.

Will I Get More Money If I Hire A Car Accident Attorney?

Generally, hiring a car accident attorney will increase compensation for your injuries and damages. The value of a personal injury car accident case rises if you need significant medical care. Hiring an experienced car accident attorney can help you get more money to help pay for your medical and other related costs.

Additionally, hiring a knowledgeable car accident attorney at the Levinson Law Group means they handle an insurance adjuster’s lowball settlement offer that would not cover your ongoing expenses in the aftermath of a serious crash.

Insurance adjusters aim to make money, not spend it on settling claims. If you have a valid claim and attempt to negotiate with them on your own, you end up not getting what your claim is worth. Having an experienced attorney on your side is essential.

What Factors Affect a Car Accident Claim?

In the aftermath of a car collision, each action you take can affect the value of your car accident claim. Here are some tips on what to do after a crash:

• Call 911.
• Remember is to remain at the scene of the crash.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with all other drivers involved in the accident.
• Take photos of the accident scene, all vehicles involved, the road, signs and signals, and your injuries.
• Obtain contact information from any witnesses.
• Seek medical help even if your injuries feel minor. It is a mistake not to get medical care, and not doing so can affect your claim if you chose to file one.
• Keep a journal of all medical appointments, consultations, results, tests and your treatment plan. The more information and proof you can provide, the greater the value of your personal injury claim.
• Report your accident to your insurance. Stick only to the facts and do not discuss who may have been at fault, even if you feel it was partially your error that caused the collision. Remember that even your insurance company is going to look for ways to reduce a payout. Let your attorney handle all communications with your insurer and the other driver’s insurance company.
• Keep every bill related to the car accident. Those receipts support your claim for compensation for your injuries. The more proof you can provide, the higher the compensation may be. Your records can include medical bills, emergency services provided, such as an ambulance ride to the hospital, diagnostic testing, therapy, medications, and any required medical devices.

Additional Actions That May Affect a Car Accident Award or Settlement

Off work? Not sure when you can return? Keep all payroll information that outlines your salary and any paid time off to recover from your accident. These costs may potentially result in a higher car accident award or settlement.

While you are documenting all the costs related to the collision and your injuries, be sure also to keep receipts relating to any home or vehicle modifications that were necessary to allow you to live as normally as possible.

Another critical thing to keep doing is seeing your doctor for regular check-ins and updates on how your injuries are healing. This provides a paper trail that your car accident attorney can use to file your claim and prove that your treatment is ongoing. If you miss appointments, this means defense attorneys and insurance companies assume you are not as severely injured as you claimed or that the accident did not cause your injuries.

Documenting injuries, treatment and healing are vital components of filing a claim seeking compensation for injuries sustained in a car crash. The length of time to recover from serious injuries also plays a part in the amount of compensation possible.

You are likely to get an early settlement offer from the other driver’s insurance company. Do not accept any offers without first speaking to your attorney. Once a settlement offer has been accepted, the claim cannot be revisited. Additionally, many first settlement offers are far lower than what a plaintiff with a good case may be awarded in court should the matter go to trial.

Two other actions that may bode well for your car accident claim and result in a higher award or settlement are not talking to anyone else about your accident except your attorney and not posting about it on social media.

Never speak to anyone else. There is a chance you may say something that could reduce the value of your claim, such as, “I think it might have been partially my fault.” Statements like that can reduce the value of a claim as it indicates partial liability for the accident.

Stay off social media and do not post about your accident. Do not post pictures, comment or share any information about the crash. Everyone can see it, and that includes insurance company accident investigators. If you have to post something, then discuss it with your car accident lawyer first.