If you don’t know how to settle a car accident claim without a lawyer, here are some good advices how to behave in this case. First of all, you solve each step in the process yourself and it can be very complicated. And every step you take can be risky. You can become very easy prey for lawyers who want to drop your case. For this reason, it is always recommended to hire an experienced lawyer. If your request is to seek a car accident, then the lawyer you hired can help. He will give you the answer to many vague questions, and will assess the request and decide the steps forward.
When you find a reputable and quality lawyer, he will probably offer you a free consultation and will represent you for a contingency fee.
Have realistic expectations of your request
When assessing claims for traffic accidents, insurance companies will often make a low bid early to “save you from the hassle of negotiating”. However, this offer rarely reflects the actual value of your damage. It leaves you to pay all the future costs and losses that come with it.
In this scenario, the insurer relies on the fact that you are facing medical bills and time out of work due to injuries. This leaves you stranded and helpless. When you hire a law firm to represent you, a car crash lawyer has to negotiate for you and should never settle for less than you deserve. He must fight for you.
Create your request letter
Once you find out how much the insurance company is willing to pay, it’s time to make your claim letter. This is your chance to explain why the insurance company’s settlement is too low and why you need more money. You need to take care to explain your injuries and losses in as much detail as possible using actual numbers if possible. It is also very important to state why the other driver is responsible for these additional costs. And why his insurance company has to pay your expenses. The letter of request is the starting point and it may not be enough to achieve the ultimate goal. But it is definitely a good start. And it is a good signal to opponents that you are ready to fight for your case.
After receiving your letter, they will submit a counter-offer. Your next move is to accept or reject the offer. If you accept the settlement, you have completed the process and you can refocus on the normal course of your life. However, if you reject the offer, you continue the process in court.
Representing yourself in court is not a good idea
You know that it is possible to represent yourself in court and thus resolve a traffic accident claim. However, this is by no means a good idea. Because, you do not have the experience of lawyers who could help you solve the whole process easier. They will resolve the settlement process in a faster and safer way. If you eventually go to court, they will be able to initiate your case and argue on your behalf against the experienced legal team of the insurance company.
How can a personal injury lawyer help?
Although they initially thought they could do it on their own, many people hire a lawyer because they realize they don’t have enough knowledge and time. Accident lawsuits can involve very arduous tasks such as the following:
- Investigation of the accident site
- Collection of medical documentation and other evidence and damage
- Contacting the insurance company and gathering information
- Searching for witnesses and taking their statements
- Letter of request and negotiation with insurance
- Submission of legal claims in accordance with the knowledge and opinion of your lawyer.
Here’s some reasons when you need a professional lawyer help.
Be honest
In order to win a case in court, you should be as open and honest as possible with your lawyer. Especially when it comes to injuries that occurred before or after the accident. Because, if you had an injury before or after the accident, there is a record that can prove it. And if your lawyer is notified in time, he will know how to deal with the problem properly. But if you are not honest and the insurance company finds out, you have not yet informed your lawyer, then your case is over and you are at a loss.
If you need an advice about How to settle a car accident claim without a lawyer, contact us. If you are not willing to take the risk of representing yourself or are not ready for that kind of responsibility and burden, contact us. We have the right solution and answers to all your questions.
Here at Bajric & Ramic, we are happy to help anyone with their case. If you have any questions, call us for free consultations: 314 352 6800
HERE you can find more tips that may be useful to you.
