Like many people, you don’t want to hire a lawyer after a minor accident. Instead, you’d like to get the largest settlement for your car accident on your own without a lawyer. We understand that many people want to settle their insurance claims independently but don’t know where to start.
In today’s blog post, we share our 4-part video series that will walk you through the basics of making a personal injury claim. Vermont car accident attorney Drew Palcsik will walk you through the process in each video. We will cover how to prove injuries, faults, collect important documents, and submit them to the insurance company.
By the end of today’s blog, you will understand the basics of making your insurance claim.
How To Get An Accident Settlement Without A Lawyer Mini-Series
Providing Proof of Injury
In our first video, Drew asks how badly you were hurt and how easy it is to prove your injuries.
Generally speaking, the more obvious the injury, the more straightforward the healing process, and the quicker your recovery, the easier it will be to handle the injury claim on your own.
Bumps and bruises, scratches, and cuts. Feeling sore for a few days, generally getting better within a week. Most injury lawyers aren’t going to take these cases, and you might wind up representing yourself. Even a broken bone that heals up without surgery will probably fall into the category of claims you could handle on your own.
However, if you find an injury that leaves you in pain and the doctors stumped, you may not want to settle immediately. Drew covers types of injuries you may wish to consult a lawyer so you don’t make a hasty decision for a lifelong injury.
Providing Proof of Fault
In part two, Drew looks at the issue of proving fault for the crash.
The more obvious it is that another driver caused the crash, the easier it will be to establish fault. The fault is another way of saying negligence, and it’s essential to winning your case. Remember, if you want to win your accident settlement without a lawyer, unless someone, not you, was guilty of negligent behavior.
Sometimes, you might have a conversation with an insurance adjuster, and they will tell you that they’re accepting fault for the crash. That’s good, but it’s not the whole story.
Assigning fault for the accident is essential, but on its own, it’s not enough to win a case. You, as the injured person, have to prove three separate things. Number one is that someone else is at fault for the crash. Number two that you were injured and have endured pain and suffering. And number three, your injuries were caused by the collision, not something else.
Organizing the Car Crash Claim
In part three, we talk about organizing your file, the documents, photos, and statements you’ll want to have to make the strongest case for the most money. You may not be sure how to organize the claim and get it ready for the insurance company so you can get the largest accident settlement without an attorney.
Assuming your injuries after a crash are minor. The injuries resolve on their own without treatment or maybe one or two chiropractic treatments. A few months later, you have no symptoms at all.
Let’s also assume that you were hurt in a rear-end collision at a stop sign, a situation in which it’s almost always going to be the case that the other driver is at fault.
You need to know that insurance companies base almost all of their decisions on the records. Drew covers which documents will help support your claim and ensure you get the best outcome possible.
Presenting the Claim to the Insurance Company
Finally, Drew discusses how to make the case to get paid fairly by the insurance company.
Presenting your claim to the insurance company is what lawyers call making a settlement demand. Three key things to remember when considering how to make a settlement demand.
In our final video, Drew shares how policy limits shape the maximum amount of insurance available. He then covers how liens can play a role in your total settlement. Finally, he shares how to estimate a value for your claim.
Summary
While it’s unlikely that the insurance company will pay the number you request in the settlement demand, it will give you a good starting place for negotiation. Make sure you ask for enough money to leave room to negotiate, pay off your bills, and still have something left for yourself.
We hope you found this mini-series on getting the best accident settlement without a lawyer helpful. Feel free to reach out to Burlington, Vermont, car accident lawyer Drew Palcsik to discuss your case’s specifics.
