If you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident, you know that the injuries and damages from a crash can present a significant financial burden. Auto insurance companies are meant to compensate an accident victim for financial losses, but getting an adequate settlement can be a real struggle.
If you are negotiating a settlement with Progressive Insurance, a car accident lawyer can provide legal support and representation during settlement negotiations. An experienced personal injury law firm will know how to fight for compensation that adequately covers your vehicle damage, medical bills, and other expenses.
Tips for Negotiating a Car Accident Settlement With Progressive Insurance
Being involved in a car crash can lead to personal and financial consequences that significantly disrupt your life. You may require expensive medical care and need to take time off work to heal. Your vehicle may need repairs or to be replaced entirely.
An insurance settlement can cover these losses. However, getting a settlement that meets your financial needs is often a long, complicated, and upsetting process. A personal injury attorney experienced in car accident cases can handle the settlement negotiation process for you so you can focus on healing.
Here are some tips to keep in mind to protect your rights:
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Be Careful With What You Tell an Insurance Adjuster From Progressive Insurance
Soon after your accident, you may receive a call from a Progressive Insurance adjuster asking you to make a recorded statement or sign documents. It is important to be very cautious when talking to an insurance adjuster. While insurance companies are expected to provide financial compensation after a crash, many insurance companies are focused on protecting their bottom line more than helping car crash victims.
Auto insurance companies may undervalue claims, give quick but inadequate settlement offers, or even deny claims entirely. The insurance company may take what you say about the accident and use it against you to undervalue your claim. When you have a lawyer representing your interests, you have someone advocating for the highest settlement possible and fighting against these unfair insurance tactics.
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Make Sure You Understand What Your Case Is Actually Worth
Most car accident victims do not immediately recognize the full extent of the accident’s effect on their lives. If you were hurt in a crash, vehicle repair costs and emergency room bills may be only the start of the financial impact. You may also need ongoing medical care, follow-up appointments, rehabilitative care, specialized medical equipment, or expensive medication. You may even require mental health treatment, such as therapy, to address the emotional trauma resulting from the crash.
Crash-related injuries may have temporarily or permanently reduced your ability to work, complete everyday responsibilities, or even enjoy life. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may have suffered harm to your earning capacity, which reduces the amount of income you can receive from working.
All of these losses need to be included in any Progressive Insurance settlement. If a settlement offer does not include all of your past, present, and future losses related to the crash, it is not sufficient. A car accident injury lawyer can calculate your total damages and insist on a settlement that reflects your total damages.
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Supportive Evidence Will Strengthen Your Claim
The best way to present a strong, compelling case to Progressive Insurance is to make sure you have ample evidence to support your claim. A lawyer from our firm can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and use the evidence to argue for a larger settlement.
A car accident lawyer may collect and use evidence such as:
- Photographs of the accident scene and vehicles
- Video footage
- Statements made by the drivers and passengers involved in the accident
- Eyewitness accounts of what happened during the claim
- Medical records that demonstrate the extent of your injuries
- Vehicle repair invoices
- Employment records that can demonstrate your lost wages
- Police reports
- Cell phone records that show that the other driver was distracted at the time of the accident
- Toxicology reports showing a driver’s intoxication at the time of the crash
- Previous traffic violations or accidents involving the other driver
- Information from an event data recorder or “black box” in a vehicle
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File Your Claim Before the Statute of Limitations Runs Out
Statutes of limitations are laws that regulate when a legal claim may be brought against a party. In Louisiana, there is a one-year statute of limitations per CC Art. 3492. If you wait longer than a year after your accident, you may be ineligible for compensation.
Our Law Firm Can Represent You During Settlement Negotiations With Progressive Insurance
Negotiating a settlement with Progressive Insurance after a car accident is not an easy task. Let our personal injury attorneys represent you during settlement negotiations so you can focus on healing from your injuries.
With over 250 years of combined experience, the team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers has secured millions of dollars in favorable settlements for car accident victims. Call us today to find out how we can help you fight for a settlement that adequately compensates you for vehicle damage, medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
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