If you were harmed in a car accident, you probably want to file a car accident claim. Unfortunately, the filing process is not always straightforward. And a lot of people are misinformed about how the process works, which could put them at a disadvantage and may hurt their chances of getting fair compensation. Thankfully, injured victims can rely on car accident attorneys Los Angeles for legal assistance. Your attorney can clear some of the misconceptions you may hold regarding the claims process. These misconceptions include the following:
Car Accident Victims are Guaranteed Compensation
If you suffered injuries in a car accident, there are no legal guarantees you will get compensation. Even if the other driver is apparently at fault, compensation for injuries is not cut and dry. The at-fault driver may be uninsured. Their insurance provider may assert that you contributed to the crash or that the injuries you suffered are not as bad you claim. Insurance companies are always looking to save money by devaluing or denying claims.
You Will Get a Fair Offer from the Insurance Company
Again, insurance companies will protect their best interests, not yours. Settling your claim for the least amount is in their best interest. During negotiations, their offers are expected to be less than the value of your claim. But, you do not need to accept their offer. Your attorney can negotiate with them for a fair amount. If negotiations don’t succeed, your attorney can take your case to court for you.
You Only Need a Police Report to Prove Fault
Although you need to contact police officers after your car crash to have a police report made, this report is just one of the pieces of evidence you need to prove fault. Police officers record the facts of your accident based on what was told to them; however, you need other kinds of information to build a strong car accident case. These include witness testimony, surveillance videos, accident photos, accident reconstructions, and others.
It is Easy to Determine Liability in Rear-End Accidents
A lot of people think that rear-end accidents are always the rear driver’s fault. Although this is usually the case, sometimes, the driver in front could also be responsible when the accident happens because of their negligence such as when they were speeding, slamming their brakes unnecessarily, or switching lanes unsafely.
If you are filing a car accident claim, it helps to understand how the claims process works. This can help increase your chances of securing a fair settlement for the injuries you suffered.
