Negotiating a Settlement With USAA Insurance
Everyone knows that auto insurance companies are supposed to provide financial compensation after a car accident. However, only those involved in an accident know just how difficult it can be to get a favorable payout.
Auto insurance companies may undervalue claims, deny claims, use delay tactics, or try to get injured car accident victims to settle for less than they deserve. If you or a loved one were involved in a crash caused by a driver who has USAA Insurance, a personal injury lawyer can help you negotiate a favorable settlement.
What Is Involved in a Car Accident Settlement Involving USAA Insurance?
If a driver with USAA Insurance causes an accident, the insurance company is supposed to pay for the financial losses caused by the crash. However, the process is not this straightforward.
Here are some of the steps involved:
Determining the Damages Caused in the Accident
Before a car accident settlement can be pursued, an injured car accident victim must understand the full extent of the losses he or she sustained because of the crash.
If you were injured in a car accident, it is crucial to understand the full scope of the accident’s consequences. Too often, car accident victims accept a quick settlement from an insurance company because they do not know just how deep their financial losses go.
A car accident injury lawyer can help you calculate your past, present, and future expenses and losses. These losses may include:
- Medical bills such as emergency room treatment
- Ongoing medical needs like rehabilitative care and pain medication
- Lost income caused by your time off work
- Lost earning capacity caused by injuries that result in loss of functioning
- Property damage, including damage to your vehicle
Sending a Demand Letter
After your damages have been determined, the next step in getting a payout after a car accident involves sending a demand letter or insurance claim letter. A demand letter requests payment for accident-related expenses such as vehicle repair costs and medical bills. A personal injury lawyer experienced in car accident cases can draft a demand letter.
Negotiating a Settlement With the Insurance Company
The negotiation process is an ongoing, back-and-forth conversation between the injured party and the insurance company. If you retain an attorney, the attorney will represent you during the negotiations and fight for the best possible settlement on your behalf.
Negotiating a settlement can be very frustrating and time-consuming, which is why many car accident victims prefer an attorney to handle this for them. The insurance company’s main priority is protecting the company’s bottom line. Consequently, insurance adjusters are motivated to get the lowest settlement possible.
A personal injury attorney’s job is to fight for a settlement that meets the client’s needs and adequately compensates him or her for the financial and non-financial damages caused by the crash.
Obtaining a Favorable Settlement Through Negotiations With USAA Insurance
The financial burden caused by a car crash is heavy – especially when combined with the personal difficulties experienced by accident victims, such as physical pain and psychological trauma. The goal of settlement negotiations is to get an accident victim the compensation he or she needs and deserves.
Supportive Evidence Is Needed to Build a Strong Claim for Monetary Damages
To negotiate effectively, a car accident injury lawyer must back up his or her claims with sufficient evidence. One of the main jobs of an attorney is to find, preserve, and use evidence effectively.
Evidence often includes proof of the driver’s culpability for the accident. For example, a personal injury attorney may discover evidence such as:
- Video footage showing the driver operating their vehicle in an unsafe manner before the crash
- Vehicle damage and damage to nearby property
- Skid marks and other evidence at the accident scene
- Event data recorder information showing that a driver was speeding or driving unsafely at the time of the crash
- Statements from eyewitnesses who can explain what happened
- Police reports describing the accident
Evidence will also include proof of the financial harm that the accident victim suffered, such as:
- Medical records and bills showing the cost of medical treatment
- Statements from medical professionals explaining the injuries and the long-term medical needs resulting from the injuries
- Paystubs and employment records showing the value of lost income from missed work
- Statements from vocational rehabilitation professionals explaining how the injuries will affect the injured person’s earning capacity
Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents
According to CC 3493.1, there is a two-year statute of limitations for claims involving injuries. So, you must file your claim within two years to have a chance at recovering financial compensation.
Our Personal Injury Law Firm Can Represent You During Settlement Negotiations With USAA Insurance
If you were hurt in a car accident, you might be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, vehicle damage, lost income, and other losses. The personal injury lawyers at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can represent you during settlement negotiations with USAA Insurance.
Our team will advocate strongly on your behalf and fight for a favorable settlement. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you. We offer free consultations and take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.
