If you are like most people in Georgia, you don’t worry too much about the possibility of a car crash because they don’t happen that frequently. Additionally, you know that even if you do get into a crash, you have insurance that will protect you.
What far too many people don’t seem to understand is that insurance companies lose money when they pay big claims. Whether you make an insurance claim against your own company because the other driver didn’t have insurance or you make a claim against their policy, the adjuster handling the claim will probably do just about anything they can think of to keep what they pay you as low as possible.
There are a couple of things that you need to understand before you begin working on a major car crash-related insurance claim.
The insurance company won’t necessarily pay all of your expenses
In a situation where it’s clear that the other driver is responsible, you probably expect to file a claim and get complete reimbursement for the repair of your vehicle or possibly a new vehicle if yours is no longer safe to drive. You will also expect compensation for any medical bills that you accrued and lost wages that you couldn’t earn during your convalescence.
However, a notable number of people in Georgia only carry the bare minimum amount of insurance required by state law. That means they only have $25,000 worth of property damage coverage and $25,000 worth of medical coverage for one person who gets hurt. That amount goes up to $50,000 if two or more people get hurt in the same collision.
The insurance company may try to trick you to pay you less
There are many ways that insurance companies can try to manipulate the situation around a crash-related claim to reduce their liability. Insurance companies will often ask that a claimant submit to a recorded statement or interview with an adjuster to get you to admit to fault.
The insurance company might also try offering you a lump-sum settlement in the hope that you will quickly accept it without realizing it doesn’t cover all of your costs.
Both in a situation where you need to seek more compensation after a car crash because of a mediocre policy or a situation where insurance negotiations or recorded statements are necessary, you may find that partnering with the lawyer will set you up for a better chance of success.