Understanding Car Accident Settlements: How Do They Work?
Frequent car accidents are a sad reality in California, often resulting in fatalities. A four-year survey showed that the incidence of deaths caused by car accidents have steadily increased in the duration, with over 3600 deaths reported in 2018.
Even in cases where car accidents aren’t fatal, there are several other consequences associated with them. Car accident settlements can help compensate for the damages caused in such situations. Here’s how you need to go about the process.
Filing a Settlement Claim
The first thing you need to do after an accident is to lodge a formal claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver. This is also called third party insurance claim. You’ll need to notify the insurance policy provider at your earliest to avoid any delays and disturbances in the process. Additionally, you should also notify your own insurance provider as well as a car settlement lawyer so that you know exactly what you’re up against and how much coverage you should receive.
Investigating the Car Accident
Once your claim has been filed, there’s going to be plenty of investigation involved. The at-fault driver’s insurance provider will conduct a thorough investigation of the traffic accident to review everything that transpired on the day of the incident as well as in the coming days (if applicable). The purpose of this investigation is to prove the validity of your claim by reviewing concrete evidence.
An investigation typically involves:
· Reviewing the official police report
· Reviewing medical records regarding any injuries sustained (if you’ve agreed to their release)
· Collecting statements from you and the at-fault driver
· Collecting statements from witnesses present at the site of the accident
· Reviewing photographs or footages of the accident
· Inspecting the site of the accident
· Consulting experts such as doctors and accident reconstruction specialists
While this investigation is being conducted by the at-fault driver’s insurance policy provider, make sure you too are getting the relevant reviews done so that there is complete transparency in the case.
Negotiating a Car Accident Settlement
After the investigation is complete, the at-fault driver’s insurer will provide you with an approval or denial of your claim. However, even if your claim does get approved by them, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be compensated fairly. This is where you need your lawyer to come through and help you out.
Your attorney will determine whether or not the coverage being provided by the insurance policy provider is enough to compensate for the damages. They’ll negotiate the car accident settlement such that you get the coverage you deserve. Your lawyer will explain the settlement offer made, elaborate on the benefits and/or drawbacks it has, and advise you if you should agree to sign it.
The attorney at the Law Offices of Ron Marquez in Chico, California ensures that clients get what they hope to accomplish by keeping them in the loop every step of the way. With their assistance, you’ll be able to get the car accident and personal injury settlement you deserve.


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