You may be thinking of filing a car accident claim after getting involved in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. You might have a lot of questions relating to filing a claim such as what are your chances of getting compensation for damages and other losses. For any clarifications, it’s better to consult a Fall River car accident lawyer to handle your case if you suffered severe injuries. Consulting one is beneficial because it will get you answers to questions such as how long the process will take and what you can do to increase your chances of success.
What is the most common outcome in a car accident claim?
70% of people who file a car accident claim receive compensation after the trial or an out-of-court settlement. Less than 4% of car accident claims go to trial, which is not unusual for personal injury cases. Going to court is expensive, time-consuming, and comes with a lot of risk for the parties involved. This is why insurance companies prefer to reach car accident settlements as opposed to going to court.
How much compensation is typical in a car accident case?
About 26% of car accident victims received over $25,000 but mostly the payouts range between $3,000 to $25,000. Keep in mind that those who receive higher settlements immediately retain a Fall River car accident lawyer who was able to negotiate on their behalf.
What affects the outcome of a car accident claim?
Insurance companies use similar patterns when they are valuing a car accident case. In most situations, you may not be able to control some of the aspects that affect the valuation of your case. These aspects include:
The severity of your injuries. The more serious the injuries, the higher the medical expenses and the more significant the pain and suffering damages will be. With that being said, if your injuries are severe you should expect a higher payout.
The at-fault party’s insurance policy. Unfortunately, an insurance company cannot offer a settlement that is above the policy limits.
There are of course several steps you can follow that will help you successfully secure a higher compensation amount. The steps include hiring a Fall River car accident lawyer, negotiating the settlement amount as opposed to taking the first offer, and taking the case to trial if necessary.
The pros of hiring a Fall River car accident lawyer
Retaining legal representation is the most important step you can take to boost your chances of getting compensation for your damages. More than nine out of 10 car accident victims who retain legal representation received a settlement compared to those who decide to handle their own car accident claims.
Retaining a car accident lawyer in Fall River can also increase the amount of compensation you might receive. Car accident victims who hire a lawyer can walk away with as much as $77,000 in compensation compared to those who receive approximately $18,000 for handling their own claims.
Even after subtracting a contingency fee, you might still end up with a net payout that is nearly three times higher than what you would get if you pursue your own claim. This is because a skilled car accident lawyer knows what it takes to build a solid case, collect evidence and deal with insurance companies.
Negotiating a car settlement offer
Common sense dictates that you might end up with a higher settlement offer when you negotiate instead of accepting the first offer. Sadly this might not be true in every situation but it is still an effective strategy for getting more compensation.
Filing a car accident lawsuit
Half of those who file a car accident claim without filing a lawsuit typically resolve their claims. However, when you file a car accident lawsuit, you’re more likely to receive an award that is almost double that of those that don’t file one. Even though trials are rare, car insurance companies are more likely to take you seriously if you show them that you’re not afraid of moving ahead toward a lawsuit.
A Fall River car accident lawyer can fight for your rights
When it comes to getting the most out of your car accident claim, there is no substitute for fighting for your rights and getting the best results. For many people, that means retaining a Fall River car accident lawyer rather than leaving thousands of dollars on the negotiating table. If you’re thinking about filing a car accident claim, our lawyers are happy to help. Contact us today at to discuss your case.
