Your car accident lawyer will deal with the insurance companies for you, managing your case from start to finish. A lawyer will take steps to prepare your documentation and evidence, file your claims, and negotiate a settlement based on the value of your expenses and losses. This includes claims involving your personal injury protection (PIP) policy, as well as the liable driver’s insurance company.
Allowing your lawyer to deal with the insurance company for you can greatly reduce your stress and the time you must dedicate to your case. Your legal team will know how to navigate the process, what documentation to submit, and how to calculate a fair value for your settlement.
While your car accident lawyer handles your claim, you will have both the relief from stress and the time to focus on your medical treatment, healing, and taking care of other responsibilities.
Your Lawyer Will Represent You to the Insurance Company
No matter if you are dealing with the insurance companies on your own or if your attorney is taking care of it, it is important to understand that the insurance company never has your best interests in mind. The adjuster will look for ways to argue for a reduction in the value of your case, deny your claim based on incomplete or late paperwork, or, if you gave the insurance carrier a statement (something we strongly discourage and urge you not to do), misinterpret your words in a way that seeks to invalidate your claim.
When your lawyer steps in and deals with the insurance company, they can react appropriately and protect your right to recover an appropriate amount of compensation. They will protect you by meeting the deadlines, filling out the paperwork properly, and gathering evidence to both mitigate any allegations against you and to build the strongest case on your behalf. In addition, an attorney can help you determine if you qualify to file a fault-cased claim or if all your damages fall under your PIP policy, as per the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS).
Steps Your New York Accident Lawyer Will Take on Your Behalf
Your car accident lawyer will deal with the insurance companies for you, including handling all communication and interactions with the insurers. Preparing and filing an insurance claim to pursue a fair settlement requires a lot of interaction with the insurer, including both your PIP provider and the insurance carrier that represents the driver who hit you.
To protect your rights and make things easier on you, your attorney will handle this process every step of the way. Depending upon the particulars of your accident, this will include:
- Preparing your case
- Filing your claim with the insurer
- Presenting evidence to support your claim
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Filing a personal injury civil suit, if needed
- Representing you in court
- Preparing and managing any other written or verbal communication
Your lawyer will prepare a demand letter for the insurance company that outlines the types of recoverable damages you suffered. Depending on whether it is a PIP or a liability policy, you could recover compensation for:
- Medical treatment expenses
- Future medical care needs
- A portion of your lost wages
- Lost income, benefits, and diminished earning ability
- Loss of services
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering damages
- Diminished quality of life
- Mental anguish
There is a deadline for filing a civil action in a personal injury case under New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules (CVP) §214. If the insurance company representing the liable party will not agree to a fair settlement by the time this deadline approaches, your attorney will likely file a lawsuit on your behalf to preserve your rights
Meet with Us About Your New York Car Accident Case
If you need help dealing with the insurance companies, or if you wonder if you qualify to hold another party liable, reach out to Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., for a complimentary consultation.
We will do more than deal with the insurance company in your case. There are many benefits of having a legal team on your side after a New York traffic accident. Our team will:
- Keep you updated on your case
- Identify liable parties
- Communicate with all parties for you
- Gather evidence
- Determine a value for your case
- Fight relentlessly to win the best possible outcome for you
We will meet with you on Long Island or in another convenient location in the New York metropolitan area. If you are more comfortable discussing your case in another language, we have a multilingual staff that can help you in Spanish, Greek, Bengali, Tamil, or Kannada.
Let us speak with you today about your accident and injuries. We will go to work representing you to the insurance companies as soon as we lay out a plan for your case. Call Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. now at (516) 932-0400 to get started.