The aftermath of a serious car accident is often confusing because you have to manage several matters at the same time. As you heal from your physical and emotional wounds, you might wonder how you can obtain the financial assistance needed to get you through this challenging time.
Fortunately, a skilled local attorney can help you with filing a car accident claim in San Bernardino. Our team understands the legal process and can guide you through it to reach a satisfactory resolution that helps you and your family. Call Valero Law Group to take the first steps in your legal and financial recovery.
Filing an Insurance Claim After a Car Crash
After an accident, most people turn to the at-fault driver’s insurance company first for recovery of damages. California law requires all drivers to carry car insurance, and injured San Bernardino parties can file accident claims directly with the at-fault driver’s insurer.
Because insurance companies do not have accident victims’ interests in mind, trying to negotiate with a third-party insurance company is not easy. Insurers will often try to get injured parties to admit fault in order to minimize or even deny payouts. Companies care more about protecting their profit margins than ensuring injured parties receive fair treatment and will frequently offer unreasonably low settlement offers to quickly resolve their claims. A skilled local lawyer can help by managing all communications with the insurance company. They will:
- Contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- Identify the injured party as the claimant
- Explain the types of injuries the victim suffered, the extent of the injuries, and the damages incurred due to the at-fault driver’s actions
- Provide the insurance company’s adjustor with all necessary documentation and information
- Skillfully handle negotiations with the insurance company
For the best chance at a satisfactory settlement, accident victims should work with an experienced legal team who knows how to handle insurance claims.
Filing a Lawsuit After a Car Crash
Unfortunately, not all insurance companies negotiate in good faith and offer fair settlements. Additionally, most insurance companies will only provide payouts for medical costs and property damage. Settlements do not typically cover non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and decreased enjoyment of life. An experienced lawyer can help someone injured in a San Bernardino car crash seek a full recovery by filing a legal claim in a civil court for financial damages.
A knowledgeable local attorney can handle the legal process of preparing a claim by:
- Working closely with the injured party to learn about the accident and the full extent of their injuries
- Gathering and preserving evidence, such as eyewitness testimony, police reports, medical records, and video and camera surveillance footage, to support the claim
- Working with accident reconstruction experts, if appropriate, who can give their opinion and testify as to how the crash occurred
- Scrutinizing and organizing the evidence to build a compelling case for compensation
Depending on the situation, our attorneys will be prepared at each step for both settlement negotiations and trial. We will remain available to our clients at all times.
Reach Out to a San Bernardino Lawyer About Filing a Car Crash Claim
Filing a car accident claim in San Bernardino can seem like a daunting process. However, a seasoned local legal team can make the process less terrifying. A dedicated lawyer can handle every step of the legal claim, allowing you the time to focus on your recuperation.
Reach out to our team today. We are always available to help you.