Don’t Face Insurers Alone After a Collision: We’re By Your Side
Have you ever felt overwhelmed dealing with insurance companies after a car accident in California? It’s a common challenge that many people face. A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles helps individuals navigate the legal complexities of car accidents.
If you’ve been in a car accident, understanding your rights and the steps to take can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Quick Summary
Below is an overview of the key points of this blog article.
- Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can be challenging. Insurance adjusters may seem helpful, but their goal is to pay you as little as possible.
- Consulting a car accident lawyer can prevent unintentional fault admission and ensure fair compensation negotiations with insurance.
- Be cautious about giving recorded statements, accepting quick settlement offers, and providing excessive injury details to insurers.
- California’s “pure comparative negligence” law allocates fault based on each party’s actions in accidents, allowing compensation even if partially at fault, albeit reduced according to percentage of fault.
- California mandates drivers to carry minimum liability insurance covering: $15,000 for injury/death to one person, $30,000 for multiple injuries/deaths, and $5,000 for property damage, with penalties for non-compliance.
- If the insurance company fails to contact you within a reasonable period after reporting a loss, contact your agent or insurer. If unresponsive, escalate the issue to the Department of Insurance.
How to Deal With Insurance Companies After a Car Accident in California?
Unless you’ve been in many car accidents, you probably haven’t talked to insurance people much lately. But when you do, they might seem nice and helpful—don’t be fooled. Insurance companies train their employees to do one thing: Find ways to pay you less.
That’s why it’s important to be prepared with some tips to handle them. Here are the most important tips for dealing with insurance after an accident:
Avoid Admitting Fault
In California, if you cause an accident, you might have to pay for the damages. So, if you say anything that makes it seem like you’re admitting fault, you could hurt your chances of getting compensated.
It’s important not to admit wrongdoing or give too many details about the accident when talking to the insurance company. Insurers have tricks to make you accidentally admit fault.
Get in Touch With a Lawyer
To avoid saying anything that could harm your car accident claim, it’s wise to have a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles speak on your behalf. Car accident lawyers understand how insurance companies operate and have strategies to help clients get the most from their claims.
Insurance companies prefer you to handle things without an attorney and might even suggest you speak to them first. However, you have every right to contact your chosen attorney before dealing with insurance after an accident.
Be Cautious About Giving Recorded Statements
The insurance company might reach out to you, claiming they’re trying to understand the accident better. They might request a recorded statement describing the events. However, this is often a tactic to make you say something that could harm your compensation claim.
You are not required by law to give a recorded statement, regardless of what the insurer says. You can always tell them that your attorney will provide the accident details for you.
Be Wary of Quick Settlement Offers
Sometimes, insurance companies will make a quick settlement offer shortly after the accident, often within a day or two. It might seem like a victory, but it’s important to be cautious. These offers can be lower than what you deserve. The insurer hopes you’ll accept less before realizing the full amount you’re entitled to.
If you accept the settlement, you may end up having to pay more for accident-related expenses out of your pocket. That’s why it’s smart to have your attorney review any settlement offers from the insurance company.
Avoid Giving Too Many Details About Your Injuries
If the insurance company asks about the “nature” and “extent” of your injuries, be cautious. If you forget to mention a detail or if your injury worsens later on, the insurer might use your initial answer to deny you further compensation. You’re not obligated to provide a full account of your injuries to the insurance company.
You can simply say that you’re still evaluating your injuries and receiving treatment, and advise them to speak with your lawyer for more details.
Keep in Mind That Insurance Companies Are Not Your Allies
When you’re talking to insurance adjusters after a car accident, it’s crucial to remember that the insurance company is not your friend. They might act friendly to make you lower your guard, but their main goal is to pay you as little as possible. They’re looking out for themselves, not you.
Record Details of the Accident and Your Injuries
Having lots of photos or videos of your injuries and the accident scene is very helpful. You might not need all of them, but they can support your case for full compensation. If it’s safe, take as many photos and videos of the accident as you can.
This includes your vehicle, other vehicles involved, the area around the accident, your injuries, and others’ injuries. Also, take photos of your injuries every few days to show how you’re recovering.
What is California’s Comparative Negligence Law and Its Impact on My Car Accident Injury Claim?
California uses a system called “pure comparative negligence” to decide who is at fault in accidents. This system looks at each person’s actions that led to the accident and assigns a percentage of fault to each. Even if you’re partly to blame for the accident, you can still get compensation.
However, the amount you get will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you’ve found 20% at fault and are awarded $10,000, you’ll get $8,000 (80% of the original amount).
What Are California’s Minimum Insurance Requirements?
In California, all drivers must have a minimum amount of liability insurance to pay for damages if they cause an accident. The minimum requirements are:
- $15,000 coverage for injury or death to one person
- $30,000 coverage for injury or death to more than one person in a single accident
- $5,000 coverage for property damage
While these are the lowest amounts required, it’s a good idea to think about getting more coverage to protect yourself better if there’s a serious accident. Not having the minimum insurance can result in penalties, fines, and possibly losing your license.
What Should I Do If the Insurance Company Does Not Contact Me?
After you report a loss, a claim representative should get in touch with you within a reasonable amount of time. In some cases, they might take up to 15 days to contact you. If you haven’t heard from anyone, reach out to your agent or insurance company for help.
If they’re not responsive, or if you think there’s an unreasonable delay in settling your claim, contact the Department of Insurance.
How Our Trusted Legal Team Can Help You
Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can be tough. But you don’t have to do it alone. Haffner Law is here to help you every step of the way. Our car accident lawyer Los Angeles has the skills and experience to make sure you get the best outcome. We’ll fight for you to get the compensation you deserve.
Don’t let insurance companies push you around. Let Haffner Law take charge and handle the hard work for you. We can also assist you with Distracted Driving Accidents, Rear-End Collisions, and Single Car Accidents. Contact us today for a free case review. We’ll show you how we can make a difference in your case.
