When you’re injured in a car accident, there are certain steps that must be taken to ensure you get compensation from the party that’s at fault. This generally involves the at-fault party’s insurance company paying you, but in some cases you may need to get coverage from your own insurance company.
A common example is for those who are victims of hit and run accidents. Or, perhaps you want to get coverage through your Personal Injury Protection, otherwise known as PIP. Regardless of the reason, if you need to make a claim against your insurance it can feel complicated. Read on to get simple tips to make it easy and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you have questions.
Be prepared for a call from an insurance claims representative
After you notify your insurance company, you’ll get a call from an insurance claims representative. They will want a statement from you and will likely want to record it. They’re going to want to know the date and location of your accident, a description of the accident and how it happened, information about any injuries you have, information on your medical bills, and info on other expenses you’ve had.
They’re also likely to want documentation that shows your medical treatment and expenses. For example, if you suffered a burn injury, they will need documentation of every medical procedure and treatment associated with that injury.
Deciding who’s at fault
Once the insurance company has their statement and has looked at the evidence in the case, they’re going to decide who was at fault. If they decide that you were not at fault then they’re going to offer you a settlement. If you don’t like the settlement amount, then you can negotiate. Remember that their first offer is almost never going to be what they’re prepared to offer. Their goal is to minimize their obligations.
A personal injury attorney can help you get what you deserve
Whether you work with Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas or not, we recommend that you work with a personal injury attorney for any accident you are offered a settlement on. In fact, we recommend that you hire an attorney before you even give a statement to the insurance company. Remember that anything you say to them is going to be recovered and they’re going to be able to use it if your case moves forward.
At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we have decades of experience and are here to help you get what you deserve. Don’t accept a settlement just because it’s the first thing that’s offered. We start with a free case evaluation so you don’t pay a cent to find out what your options are. In fact, we work on a contingency basis so you never pay us unless we get you results. To get started with your free case evaluation, reach out to us today at 909-982-0707.
