Achieving Fair Settlements for Auto Accidents

If you or a close family member has been in a serious car accident, you’re probably dealing with all sorts of emotional, practical, and financial challenges.

You may be facing mounting medical bills, missed weeks or months at work, and perhaps even permanent disability.

While you may not have thought much about the legal aspects of settlements for auto accidents, you’re likely very interested in seeking fair compensation for your injuries.

One of the best ways to secure a fair financial settlement is to have sound legal representation. If you need an auto accident attorney in New Orleans, contact The Voorhies Law Firm to learn about your options after a motor vehicle collision. In the meantime, we cover some of the most important elements in achieving fair settlements for auto accidents.

What Goes Into Negotiating a Fair Auto Accident Settlement?

Accidents happen even if you follow all the road safety and traffic rules. In the aftermath, the parties involved often have competing claims and disputes about who was at fault and how much they should pay. Settlements for auto accidents are financial agreements the parties involved make to resolve these issues.

Typically reached through negotiations between the individuals or their representatives, settlements outline compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost income, and other expenses caused by the collision. While unresolved disputes may still end up in court, most car accident settlements aim to avoid the time, money, and unpredictability of a trial.

Calculating the Value of Your Claim

To seek fair compensation, you must know how much your injuries and other damages are worth. That’s why the first step to any auto accident settlement is to calculate the value of your claim.

In Louisiana, car accident victims can seek compensation for economic damages like vehicle repairs, lost income, and medical bills. You can also seek compensation for non-economic damages, which are very real but less easily measured costs, including pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

A personal injury attorney with experience in car accident cases can help calculate the value of your claim. You can assist in the process by keeping track of any documentation of your related expenses, such as hospital invoices, auto repair bills, and paystubs showing lost wages.

Common Insurance Negotiation Tactics

When seeking compensation for auto accidents, you will often find yourself negotiating with insurance companies. To minimize the amount they have to pay in insurance claims, insurers may use strategies and tactics like the following:

Offering a settlement amount much lower than your claim is worth, hoping you will jump at the chance for any compensation
Delaying the settlement process on purpose, hoping you’ll become frustrated or desperate and accept a lowball offer
Disputing the responsibility of the party they insure, attempting to shift blame to you or elsewhere
Using your statements against you, especially any recorded oral statements or signed written statements
Gathering additional evidence against you, including hiring private investigators and monitoring your social media accounts
Employing general strategic tactics like requiring unnecessary documentation, applying excessive pressure, or using complicated language

Professional Help in Negotiations

Reading the above list of tactics may make you feel nervous or even overwhelmed. It also underscores the importance of professional legal assistance in achieving fair settlements for auto accidents.

In addition to having expertise in legal negotiations, car accident attorneys have specialized knowledge about applicable laws, can help assess the value of your claim, and will gather evidence to support your case. Most importantly, they are committed to protecting your legal rights and advocating for your interests.

Reach Out to an Experienced New Orleans Car Accident Attorney Today

If you need assistance negotiating with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or any other aspect of settlements for auto accidents, The Voorhies Law Firm can help. Contact us today at (504) 313-3086 for a free consultation with a skilled New Orleans car accident attorney.

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