What To Expect When Filing An Auto Accident Claim

Auto accident law, especially the branch that covers injuries, can seem complex to deal with. That's why many people prefer to put their cases into the hands of a car accident lawyer. It's important, however, to go into the process with some understanding of what likely will and won't happen.

Suing Someone

There may be a particular appeal that comes with the idea of pursuing a lawsuit, but the chances that your claim will end up going to court are pretty slim. The vast majority of cases will be resolved either by dismissal or negotiated settlement. While the threat of a lawsuit needs to be present and real to ensure that the insurance company and any responsible parties will come to the table and take a matter seriously, a settlement is generally considered the most advantageous of the likely positive outcomes for an injured person.

Documenting Everything

In order to fully pursue a claim with the assistance of a car accident attorney, you can expect to go through a lot of paperwork. As you try to recover damages for the cost of a wrecked vehicle, you'll need to have a full accounting of the replacement costs produced.

You'll end up in an even more involved process while pursuing injury compensation. In addition to showing evidence of medical costs, you'll also need to keep a journal to fully document your suffering from injuries. It's also wise to disclose upfront any pre-existing conditions you had before the accident, and that can mean digging long and hard for old medical paperwork. Several years of proof of your wages will have to be produced if you're seeking compensation for lost pay.

Time

As a basic tactic, most insurance companies try to not settle too soon. The idea is that a drawn-out process will encourage someone who needs money to cover everything from medical expenses to utility bills that they ought to take the current offer. An auto accident lawyer can give you a sense of how close you are to maximizing the return on a claim.

Expenses

The majority of lawyers handles cases on a contingency basis, so they don't get paid unless they recover money for you. In a successful case, your lawyer will take a percentage of the money you recover through a claim. You should agree to this percentage with your lawyer upfront, before they start working for you. 

For more information, contact a car accident lawyer.