Auto insurance in California is used to help owners of motor vehicles protect themselves, whether they cause an accident or are the victim of an accident. After an auto accident and when it is safe to do so, the owners or drivers of each vehicle sometimes share their auto insurance information.
In straightforward cases where there's property damage but minimal bodily harm, a settlement offer might be made and accepted. If anyone suffers any bodily injury at all, though, it's important to keep in mind that once you accept a settlement offer and receive the payout, you usually cannot return to the auto insurance company with an update on your recovery and request further compensation.
At The Law Office of Shawn Golshani | Shawn Gol Law, P.C., our auto accident attorney in Los Angeles, along with our team, can help. Call us today at (310) 900-0809 to schedule a Free Case Evaluation.
How Car Insurance Works in California
At a fundamental level, car insurance is an agreement between a insurance company and the policyholder(s). Policyholders may be an individual, a group of individuals of a particular class (e.g., a family), occupants of a vehicle, or a company.
When an insurance policy is taken out, the policyholder makes regular payments, known as premiums, to the insurer. In return, the insurance company agrees to cover the costs of damages associated with an accident in accordance with the limits established by the insurance policy.
An insurance policy can include first-party insurance, which covers property damage or bodily injury suffered by the person(s) named on the policy. It can also includes third-party insurance, which is insurance purchased by a person or company to protect them against liability for property damage or bodily harm they (or someone on their behalf) cause.
Insurance Adjusters and the Personal Injury Claims Process
If you are in an accident, and if you contact your insurance company then the company may assign an insurance adjuster to investigate the claim, decide whether it has merit, and possibly determine how much to pay.
What some drivers do not know about the claims process is that the insurance company usually is a for-profit entity with a vested interest in keeping its costs low. One of their largest expenses is settlement payouts. By underpaying or avoiding claims, insurance companies might have an interest.
Alternative to Settlements in California Personal Injury Claims
Drivers who have filed a claim with their insurance provider will likely get a settlement offer by the insurance company. This settlement offer may be far less than what the injured party needs to recover in order to be made whole or the closest thing to it.
Some injured parties take the settlement offer because they are desperate and need the money immediately. Some of them only realize months later how little they received in light of the true extent and nature of their injuries.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, you do not have to accept the settlement offer. You can hire a lawyer. Your personal injury lawyer can negotiate a settlement in your favor.
Contact an Auto Accident Attorney in Los Angeles Today
At The Law Office of Shawn Golshani | Shawn Gol Law, P.C., we know you are dealing with a lot right now. Auto accidents, even when the property damage and bodily injury are not severe, take a toll on a person. It is a hassle to deal with insurance companies, especially when the auto insurance adjusters are difficult. Our auto accident lawyer, along with our team, can help. Contact our office today at (310) 900-0809 to schedule a Free Case Evaluation.