In Ohio, negligent motorists should take financial responsibility for the losses of their victims. Through car accident claims, victims can recover damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
If you want to file a claim, you should know what to expect from the settlement process. You will have to submit documents to the insurer of the at-fault driver. Depending on your accident’s complexity, you may have to negotiate with the insurer, file a lawsuit, and appear in court. In these cases, an attorney from grothlaw.com will represent your interest. Read on to know how the claim settlement works:
Accident Investigation
After a car crash, you usually have some options to secure compensation for the injuries you sustained. Your options include filing an insurance claim and filing a personal injury lawsuit. The majority of claims start with the insurance company before they escalate into lawsuits. Victims usually file lawsuits only if an insurance company fails to pay the compensation they deserve.
Before you can file a claim, you must collect evidence to prove that the accident and your injury existed. Also, you need to have evidence that shows the negligence of the driver caused the crash. Once you reached maximum medical improvement, you will be able to better understand the extent of your injuries, the damages you have sustained, and your long-term needs. In this case, your attorney can initiate a claim.
Insurance Claim Filing
When filing a claim, you must submit the at-fault driver’s insurance information. The insurance company will assign an adjuster to your case to conduct an investigation and negotiate a settlement. The adjuster will determine whether or not you are eligible for compensation and your settlement’s value. They will make a settlement offer, which is less than the true value of your claim. Your attorney can then make a counteroffer, ensuring you receive only a reasonable amount of compensation.
Lawsuit Filing
If the insurance company refuses to pay the compensation you need, your attorney can file a lawsuit for you and take your case to trial. After the filing, the discovery process starts. This involves both parties exchanging information. This can take up to a year to conclude. You and the other party can also engage in negotiations before the trial and try to reach an agreement. But if such negotiations are still unsuccessful, you will have no other choice but to take your case to court.
