What to Ask for in a Car Accident Settlement

A vehicle collision is intense and alarming on its own, but the headache that follows can actually be worse. Your vehicle may be totaled, you’re likely in physical pain and unable to work, and now you have to deal with your insurance company or the other driver’s.

At this point, you’re probably swearing that you’ll never drive again so you never have to deal with this kind of stress. You know you need to recover damages for a California vehicle wreck that wasn’t your fault, but where do you even start? How will you know what to ask for in a car accident settlement?

Who Pays in a Car Crash Settlement?

The first thing to understand is that, when you file a personal injury claim for a car accident, you are filing the claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company (or another responsible party). You are asking the insurer to pay up on damages its policyholder caused.

When a demand letter is sent to the insurer, the company must decide whether your claim is reasonable and whether the other driver was covered for those expenses. The insurer may deny your claim and fight you in court.

What to Ask For

Settlements can be tricky, and coming up with a reasonable amount isn’t easy. Here are some of the elements that must be carefully scrutinized in order to come up with a fair settlement amount after a car accident:

• The total cost of vehicle damage
• Your physical pain and suffering
• The total cost of your accident-related medical expenses
• The percentage of each driver’s fault in the accident (often called comparative fault)
• The extent of your injuries
• Your mental trauma
• The amount of income you missed out on during your recovery

Compensation for Your Vehicle Collision

Once you’ve reached a figure you believe is a fair assessment of your losses, you will demand that the insurance company reimburse you that amount. The insurer will agree with your figure, negotiate a different one, or deny your claim.

Reaching that perfect settlement amount requires some finesse and experience. That’s where a vehicle crash attorney can help.

Get Help from an Auto Wreck Attorney with The Kindley Firm, APC

Figuring out what to ask for in a car accident settlement is not always easy. Damages can add up, and they get complicated very quickly. Often, a settlement amount will require examining hundreds of medical bills and documents, and going it alone means your claim has a higher chance of being denied.

There’s no reason you can’t have the help of an experienced auto crash lawyer from The Kindley Firm, APC. We can evaluate your auto wreck claim to see if you have a good case and how much your settlement amount could be. Call 619-550-1313 or complete the form on this page to get started.