Maison Law Accident and Injury Lawyers of Fremont can help guide you through the insurance claim process after a car accident. Getting the most from a car accident insurance claim in Fremont can be tough, but working with our experienced team can help strengthen your claim. We know how to work with insurance companies to get the best possible outcome for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Can You Get the Most Out of Your Claim After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, taking the right steps can help you get the most from your insurance settlement. Here’s what you can do to protect your claim and make it harder for the insurance company to reduce your compensation:
- Call 911 – Your health should be the top priority. Even if you don’t feel injured right away, it’s important to call 911 for an ambulance. After that, get checked by a doctor. Insurance companies may argue that you weren’t really hurt if you don’t try to get medical care right after the accident, so don’t skip this step.
- Get a police response – While you’re on with the 911 dispatcher, also have them report the accident to the local police. This creates an official record that shows what happened and can back up your version of events. It can also help you figure out who was at fault.
- Swap information – If you’re able, take pictures of the scene, including damage to vehicles and any injuries. Get the other driver’s details like their name, contact info, and insurance, or let the police gather this information. The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim will be.
- Be careful with statements – Don’t admit fault, even if you’re unsure about what happened. Anything you say could be used against you. Stick to the facts when talking to the police or insurance reps. It’s better to keep your statements simple and let our team handle the rest.
By following these steps, you’ll help strengthen your claim and protect yourself. Remember, the key to getting the most out of an insurance claim after a car accident is to have strong evidence and a clear timeline of events that the insurance company can’t refute. But to actually get a settlement, you have to file a claim.
What’s in a Settlement in a Fremont Car Insurance Claim?
The entire point of the claims process is to get a settlement, and this is true after you’re in a car accident in Fremont. It starts with figuring out who’s responsible for the accident itself, whether that’s the other driver, the city government, the car or parts maker, or someone else. Once you have the responsible party’s insurance information, you can file a claim with their provider.
But the key is what actually makes up your settlement offer form the company. In legal terms, these are called “damages” and are specific to your accident. Generally though, they include things like:
- Medical expenses – This covers costs for your doctor visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any long-term medical care needed due to your injuries.
- Property damage – This covers costs associated with any repairs or a full replacement of your car and any other personal belongings damaged in the accident.
- Lost wages – If your injuries prevent you from working, you can recover these lost wages. If your injuries hurt your ability to work in the future, you may also recover lost future earnings.
- Pain and suffering – This covers costs relating to the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries, beyond just medical expenses.
- Emotional distress – Similarly, this covers costs relating to your emotional distress from the accident. Usually, it includes things like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health effects caused by the accident.
- Reduced quality of life – If your injuries limit your ability to enjoy your life, enjoy hobbies, or maintain relationships with your family and friends, you can recover damages for this reduction of your quality of life.
- Wrongful death expenses – If the accident is fatal, your surviving family members might be able to recover funeral costs, lost financial support, and emotional suffering (grief.)
- Punitive damages – In cases of extreme negligence, such as drunk driving, additional damages may be given to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future.
California generally allows two years from the accident date to file a claim. If you miss this deadline, though, you may lose your right to file a claim at all, no matter how strong your case is.
How Can Our Fremont Car Accident Lawyers Help You?
After a car accident in Fremont, you’re not required to hire a lawyer. However, if you’re facing serious injuries, lost income from missed work, and mounting medical bills, you’re probably going to need a lot of help to get back on your feet. Here’s how our team of Fremont car accident lawyers can help you:
- Explain your legal options so you know the best steps to take.
- Gather evidence such as medical records, accident reports, and witness statements to strengthen your claim.
- Investigate the accident to determine who is responsible and who should pay for your damages.
- Handle all communication with insurance companies to prevent lowball settlement offers.
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court if the insurance company refuses to give you a fair settlement offer.
Our goal is to handle the legal process for you so you can focus on recovery. Plus, we work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything upfront–we take our fee from whatever result we get for you. If you’ve been injured in a Fremont car accident, contact us today for a free consultation.