You’ve been in a serious car accident, you may need surgery or even long-term care, and your car is totaled.
Do you make an insurance claim? File a lawsuit? What now?
For someone who is not an attorney, doesn’t work in the insurance industry, and has never been in a serious auto accident before, the first steps to getting compensation can be confusing and stressful.
Your SC auto accident lawyer should be the first person that you contact; and they will be able to help you get started on the road to recovery and compensation. In the meantime, below you will find some information that may help to clear up some of the confusion.
Understanding Insurance Claims and Personal Injury Lawsuits in SC
Let’s take a look at the terms that insurance adjusters and personal injury lawyers use so we can better understand how they operate to pay your expenses following an accident.
Insurance claims are filed with your insurance company so you can receive funds to cover your expenses (medical or otherwise) from an accident or injury.
Property insurance claims usually means the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle after the accident. Insurance companies usually handle property claims and personal injury claims separately – they will usually pay the property claim quickly so that you are not left without a car to drive.
Personal injury insurance claims are usually handled separately by the insurance company and may have a different claims adjuster assigned to them. Your personal injury attorney should handle the PI insurance claim on your behalf, because this is where you are in danger of getting shorted or denied by the insurance company – your attorney will need to ensure that:
- You can prove liability and damages;
- You are finished treating before the claim is made;
- Your claim includes full compensation for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages;
- Your claim includes all future medical expenses; and
- Your claim takes into account the possibility of punitive damages when appropriate.
Personal injury lawsuits are when you file suit against the at-fault driver or the negligent person who caused your injuries. Although there are times when the insurance company will pay your claim after we send a demand letter, it will often take a lawsuit and the threat of a jury trial to make them pay up. After filing the lawsuit, the defendant can still settle the case at any time before trial or even in the middle of trial.
Personal Injury and Auto Accident Lawyers in SC
The first step after any accident is to contact your Myrtle Beach auto accident injury lawyer – your attorney can help you to file your insurance claim, investigate the crash, determine who is liable, send your demand letter, and file a lawsuit if the insurance company does not pay.
Call Coastal Law now for a free consultation at 843-488-5000 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment.
