Car accidents take place in many forms. For example, a car accident can occur due to drunk driving, avoiding following traffic laws, etc. The result of a car accident is often related to Injuries and damages.
Most victims facing damages after a car accident pursue a legal case or settle it. In such cases, it will be beneficial for you to know how car accidents are settled. Besides, it will also be helpful for you to see the importance of a lawyer in an accident case. You can click here to learn more about the same.
Settlement process of a car accident:
The main reason why most victims prefer settling the case is that it allows them to avoid a trial. The settlement process of a car accident is listed below:
- Reporting the accident
The first step heading towards the settlement of a car accident case is reporting the accident. You must notify the car accident to the local police department, state highway patrol, or county sheriff. At some point, you might be required to obtain a written police report of the accident if serious injuries were involved or someone was killed.
- Insurance company
Almost every state requires each driver to carry an insurance policy. There are two types of insurance systems that help in determining the liability of a car accident. Each car accident case will be decided based on the at-fault or no-fault systems. The car accident settlement process will entirely depend on which system your state permits.
After reporting the accident to the local police department, you must also report it to the insurance company. Once you register the accident, the insurance company will compensate you for the damages and the injuries based on the type of system.
- Settlement process
Settling your car accident case can also help you in avoiding trial. The next towards the settlement of the car accident case is often related to the settlement outside of court. Otherwise, the case goes to trial to resolve the dispute. If your case goes to trial, you must hire a legal attorney.
If the defendant party asks you to settle the case out of court, you should ask for compensation that covers damages, medical expenses, loss of income, etc. You might be required to gather evidence and necessary information to support your claim. Hiring a lawyer can significantly help you in such scenarios.
- Statute of limitations
Each state has a statute of limitations which are laws and rules regarding the deadlines on when one can file an injury claim. You must follow these time limits, ranging from less than a year to six years.
After reporting the accident to legal authorities and the insurance company, you must account for the statute of limitations, as they can play a significant role in the settlement of your car accident case.
