Crary, Clark & Domanico helps people in Spokane through the claims process when they’re hurt in a car accident. There’s no getting around it–the process can be pretty stressful, especially if you’re dealing with injuries. A big part of the process–and frustration–is dealing with the other person’s insurance company. Our team has the experience and resources to stand up for your rights against the insurance company. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Should I Deal With the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
After a car accident in Spokane, an insurance company is going to get involved in the process. While you have your own insurance company that can help you out, most of the problems are going to come from the other driver’s insurance company. When you file a claim, it’s up to them to:
- Look into the accident and what happened
- Decide whether to accept it or deny it
- Ask for evidence, documentation, and other evidence to evaluate your losses
- Offer you a settlement
This, obviously, means they have a lot of control. But you’re not powerless. There’s a few ways that you can deal with them effectively:
- Provide strong evidence – Collecting clear, detailed evidence is crucial. This includes accident reports, medical records, photos of the scene and injuries, witness statements, and repair estimates. Strong evidence makes it harder for the insurance company to deny or minimize your claim, helping you prove the full extent of your damages.
- Watch what you say – Be careful with your words. Avoid admitting fault, downplaying your injuries, or making speculative statements. Even innocent comments like “I’m sorry” could hurt your case. Stick to the facts and try not to give recorded statements to protect your interests.
- Don’t accept a low offer – Insurance companies often offer low settlements to save money. Before accepting any offer, calculate your full damages–medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Then, make sure that you stay strong and resolute. You don’t want to accept a low offer just because you need quick financial help.
All of these are extremely important to protecting your insurance claim. But understanding all of your options is equally important–and can help you get the financial support you’re going to need to recover.
What Options Do You Have Besides an Insurance Claim?
An insurance claim isn’t your only option after a car accident, but it does have a few benefits, namely that it’s less formal and usually resolves much quicker. But again, the company gets to decide what your claim is worth and what they offer you–if they accept your claim at all.
So, there’s another option: filing a lawsuit. Before you do that, though, you need to figure out two things: liability and damages. In simple terms, who you file your lawsuit against depends on who was at fault, which comes down to negligence. To prove negligence, you need to show that the other person acted carelessly and caused the accident, which led to your injuries.
Once these points are clear, we can figure out who should pay for your damages. While it’s usually the other driver, it could also involve other parties like:
- Other drivers not directly involved in the accident
- Vehicle owners if the driver wasn’t the owner
- Manufacturers if a car defect caused the accident
- Government agencies if poor road conditions were a factor
- Employers if the driver was on the job or using a company car
- Mechanics if bad repairs caused the crash
The types of damages you can claim vary, but generally, they include:
- Medical bills and treatment costs
- Car repair or replacement costs
- Lost wages or future earnings if you missed work or can’t work
- Costs associated with your physical pain, mental suffering and emotional distress caused by the accident
- Financial support for mental suffering and lifestyle changes due to the accident
- In the case of a fatal accident, funeral costs and loss of financial support
The specific damages you can recover depend on how well you present your evidence and the details of your case. Importantly, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. This is Washington’s statute of limitations for injury claims. If you miss this deadline, you won’t be able to recover damages.
Do You Need a Lawyer in Spokane?
Whether or not you need a lawyer after a car accident in Spokane depends on how serious the accident and your injuries are. If your injuries are minor, you might not need a lawyer. But if things are more complicated, especially with the other driver’s insurance company, having a lawyer can really help. Here’s how our Spokane car accident lawyers at CCD Law can help you:
- Free consultation – We offer a free meeting where we’ll go over your options, look at the accident details, and help figure out the best way forward for your case.
- Collecting evidence – We’ll gather key evidence, like medical records and accident reports, to show what happened and how it affected you.
- Negotiating with the insurance company – We’ll handle the insurance company for you, making sure they offer a fair settlement that covers your needs.
- Going to court – If your case goes to court, we’ll take care of filing a lawsuit and representing you in the legal process.
We know how stressful dealing with a car accident can be, especially if you’re injured. Our team will manage your case so you can focus on getting better. Contact us today for a free consultation.
