While car accident claims sometimes progress all the way to a civil courtroom, it’s much more common for these cases to end out of court with a settlement agreement. This is usually between the injured person and an insurance company or the person directly liable for their wreck. Anyone hurt in a serious traffic collision needs legal counsel for help negotiating during the settlement process, as this can significantly impact the amount of compensation they get for their losses.
When it comes to getting good outcomes from car accidents settlements in Lewisburg, there’s no substitute for dedicated legal support. The well-known attorneys at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers know how to fight for folks in your situation. Here’s a brief primer on what to expect from the settlement process and what you can do to strengthen your claim.
What Losses Should Be Factored into a Car Accident Settlement Proposal?
If you search around the Internet, you can find all sorts of “average” settlement amounts for car accident claims in various states. However, this is not useful information about what to expect from your settlement negotiations. The value of a car accident claim depends on the specific losses you’ve suffered as a direct result of the crash, which could be anything from a couple hundred dollars’ worth of minor car repairs to hundreds of thousands—even millions—of dollars needed to address the wide-reaching effects of a permanent disability.
Recoverable losses in a typical claim could include but are not limited to:
- Emergency medical bills and expected future care costs for things like assistive equipment and physical therapy
- Lost short-term work earnings and lost long-term earning ability
- All out-of-pocket expenses related to a wreck—for example, rental car fees and home and vehicle modifications to account for a disability
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Loss of life’s pleasures
This is why working with seasoned legal counsel can be so important to getting a fair settlement offer after a car accident in Lewisburg. Not only will your attorney fight to get you paid fairly for every one of your past and future losses, but they’ll also be able to help identify exactly what losses you’ll need to recover for in the first place.
Best Practices for Car Crash Settlement Negotiations in Lewisburg
Another key reason to retain a qualified local attorney while negotiating for a car accident settlement is that you’ll likely face opposition from the other side of the negotiating table. Whether it’s an insurance company or a negligent driver’s legal counsel, you can be sure they’ll fight tooth and nail to minimize their or their client’s financial liability. They will use every trick in the book to misrepresent statements you made and pick apart your experience.
Even a small comment or poorly phrased response to a question might give the opposition an excuse to lowball you with their settlement offer or refuse to settle at all. A Lewisburg lawyer experienced in handling car accident settlements can protect your rights throughout the process and fight for every cent of compensation you deserve.
Call a Lewisburg Attorney for Help with the Car Accident Settlement Process
Settling any kind of personal injury case can be a stressful process. The unique restrictions that Pennsylvania law places on auto accident claims certainly don’t make things any easier. Fortunately, you have help available from the winning legal professionals at our firm who have decades of experience helping people in your situation.
Car accident settlements in Lewisburg are much easier to handle with guidance from Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers. Call today to discuss your case during a free, no-obligation consultation.
