Getting into a car accident is overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time dealing with the insurance claims process. You may wonder what steps to take, whether your insurance will cover everything, or how to deal with the other driver’s insurer.
At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., we help people across the Chicago area make sense of their insurance claims after a crash. Whether you’re filing a claim with your own company or dealing with a third-party insurer, we can guide you every step of the way.
After a crash, there are two types of claims you might file:
Insurance companies don’t always make things easy, regardless of who you file with. That’s why it’s important to know the different ways an insurer might respond.
The insurer may agree to cover the repair costs if your car is damaged but not totaled. You might be asked to provide one or more repair estimates. Sometimes, the insurer will try to negotiate a lower price. A lawyer can help you get quality repairs and full coverage for all necessary parts and labor.
If repair costs exceed the car’s value, the insurance company will declare it a total loss and offer you its market value—minus any deductible. Unfortunately, this amount might not be enough to pay off an existing auto loan or buy a new vehicle. An attorney can help you negotiate a more accurate totaled car valuation.
If you have gap coverage or a replacement policy, your insurance might pay off the rest of your car loan or cover the cost of buying a similar new vehicle. You may need to push back on a low valuation even in these situations. A lawyer can collect evidence that proves your car was worth more than the insurance company claims.
Insurers may deny claims for many reasons. If you file a third-party claim, the company might say their policyholder wasn’t at fault. Or, they might approve only part of your claim, arguing that certain damages aren’t covered. A skilled lawyer can help challenge a denial or partial payout with additional evidence and legal pressure.
Your own insurance company is required to respond to your first-party claim. But if you’re dealing with the other driver’s insurer, they may delay or ignore you entirely. Even though they’re not legally obligated to deal with you directly, they’re still expected to act in good faith. If they don’t, an attorney can step in and hold them accountable.
When you’re stuck waiting on medical records or fighting with an insurance company that refuses to take your injuries seriously, it’s easy to feel powerless. But you don’t have to take on the system alone. A personal injury lawyer can step in and take the pressure off your shoulders.
Here’s how an attorney helps in situations like this:
Above all, your lawyer’s job is to make sure you don’t walk away with less than you deserve. From medical expenses to pain and suffering, they’ll build a case that reflects the full impact the accident has had on your life—and fight to get you compensated.
Insurance companies are not on your side. Whether they’re undervaluing your car, delaying payment, or denying your claim altogether, you don’t have to go through it alone.
At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., we’ll deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on recovering. We help clients in Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Waukegan, and surrounding areas get the compensation they’re entitled to.
Call (312) 236-2900 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you get back on the road.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
