Of course, we recommend that people who have a car accident case use an experienced lawyer to help them get the best settlement possible. That’s especially true in more complicated cases involving totaled vehicles and bodily injuries from the accident. But we also understand that there are cases where people may want to try and resolve the case themselves, particularly if the damages are minor. Here are some suggestions and recommendations for handling a car injury case independently.

Collect All the Information and Evidence

Be sure to collect all the information and evidence possible. This includes the other driver’s insurance information and contacts, evidence such as police records, car repair estimates, medical records if injuries were involved, pay stubs proving loss of income if that occurred, expenses related to at-home medical care if that applies, and any photos of the accident along with names and contacts of any witnesses who were not in either vehicle.

Prepare and Submit a Claim

If the claim involves only damage to the vehicle and not any bodily injury, this is relatively simple to produce. Draft a statement of what compensation you’re requesting and submit it along with all relevant evidence.

If there is bodily injury, the claim is much more complicated. That’s because there are nontangible injuries, such as trauma and emotional pain, that can factor into the monetary settlement, but that’s often difficult to estimate. It’s also likely to become a negotiation at this point. That’s when an injury attorney’s assistance becomes highly recommended, as they’ll have experience in valuing such a claim and techniques for negotiating.

In any negotiation, it’s a good idea to have a bottom line in mind. If the insurer won’t meet that, bringing in an attorney at that point can be of value.

Why an Attorney Is Recommended

Note that insurance companies often prefer to work with a claimant who hasn’t retained a lawyer, as the outcomes could be more favorable to the insurer that way. They may deny the claim altogether even if you provide evidence, saying the evidence isn’t sufficient. An experienced injury lawyer will know how to refute that and will also know how to find experts to back up the evidence.

Let Us Advise You

If you or someone you know has been in a car accident and needs to settle the case, call us at 816-866-7711 to learn what legal remedies could be available.