Ever been in a car accident in Arkansas? Following a car accident you face medical bills and vehicle repair costs as well as the challenging process of handling insurance company communications. Many accident victims experience feelings of overwhelm when they attempt to navigate the complicated insurance claim process.
Insurance firms do not readily agree to settle claims for their customers. Insurance companies employ adjusters and lawyers to reduce the amount they pay in claims. If you lack professional legal advocacy you will likely receive a settlement that fails to cover your full losses.
This article outlines how an Arkansas car accident lawyer assists you through the insurance claim process to obtain the compensation you deserve.
What You’ll Uncover
- Understanding Arkansas Car Insurance Laws
- When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
- How Lawyers Deal with Insurance Companies
- Calculating the True Value of Your Claim
- Common Insurance Company Tactics
- Steps to Take After an Accident
- Costs of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Understanding Arkansas Car Insurance Laws
Arkansas follows an at-fault accident system which holds the driver who caused the crash financially responsible for damages. The responsible driver’s insurance provider must receive claims from accident victims. The system lets you seek compensation by filing:
- You can file a claim through your own insurance provider.
- Victims should file a third-party claim with the insurance company of the driver responsible for the accident.
- Victims can pursue legal action through a personal injury lawsuit filed against the driver who caused the accident.
Serious accidents generally exceed the coverage limits provided by minimum insurance requirements. The inadequacy of Arkansas’ minimum liability insurance requirements leads many residents to select additional insurance options like:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Medical payments coverage
- Comprehensive and collision coverage
Navigating insurance options becomes significantly easier when you work with a car accident lawyer in Little Rock, AR who knows state insurance laws and helps manage your claims while safeguarding your rights. Experienced legal representation is crucial when insurance companies attempt to reduce your claim.
When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
While every minor traffic accident doesn’t need legal representation people should hire an attorney in specific complex situations.
- You’ve suffered serious injuries
- The accident resulted in permanent disability
- Fault for the accident is disputed
- Multiple parties are involved
- The insurance firm has presented you with a minimal settlement offer.
- Your claim is being delayed or denied
Arkansas car insurance customers experienced a 19.2% rate increase in the last year because of storm-related claims and increasing vehicle prices. Insurance companies become more driven to limit payments as a response to these conditions.
Insurance firms employ adjusters and lawyers to safeguard their financial interests. Your own legal representative creates a fair balance between you and insurance companies.
How Lawyers Deal with Insurance Companies
Arkansas car accident lawyers with expertise know the best methods to manage interactions with insurance companies. Here’s what they bring to the table:
Professional Communication
Your lawyer serves as your main contact with the insurance company while managing all necessary communications. Your attorney prevents you from making statements that may damage your claim.
Thorough Investigation
A competent lawyer will perform an exhaustive investigation of your accident to collect necessary evidence.
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Accident scene photos
- Traffic camera footage
- Vehicle damage assessments
- Expert testimony when needed
Strategic Negotiation
Once your attorney gathers proof they will develop a solid claim and enter negotiations with the insurance company. They know how insurance companies approach negotiations and how to respond to those strategies successfully.
Litigation When Necessary
Should the insurance company deny a fair settlement then your attorney stands ready to initiate court proceedings. The possibility of facing legal action usually compels insurance companies to present better settlement offers.
Calculating the True Value of Your Claim
A car accident lawyer’s most important service is assisting you to evaluate the full value of your claim. Many victims do not fully understand the extent of their damages which results in accepting inadequate settlement amounts.
Your claim might include compensation for:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death damages (in fatal accidents)
A skilled attorney partners with medical experts and economic specialists to determine your damages accurately while focusing on hard-to-measure losses such as pain and suffering.
Common Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies employ different methods to reduce the amount of money they pay out. Here are some to watch out for:
- In quick settlement offers insurance companies provide instant money to persuade claimants into accepting before they fully understand their injuries.
- Insurers purposefully slow down response times to create desperation that will lead you to settle for less.
- Requesting unnecessary information: Often a delay tactic.
- Insurance companies may argue that medical treatments were not required.
- In serious cases insurance companies might use surveillance to gather proof that disputes your claims.
- Insurance companies request statements in order to get you to disclose information that might later be used against you.
Your lawyer will identify these tricks used by insurance companies and will work to shield you from them to guarantee you receive fair treatment during the claims process.
Steps to Take After an Accident
An insurance claim becomes stronger when you follow these vital steps after an accident.
- Seek medical attention: Some injuries can remain hidden even though you feel perfectly okay.
- Report the accident: Notify police and your insurance company promptly.
- Document everything: Capture images of the accident scene and any visible damages and injuries.
- Gather information: Record contact details and insurance information from both involved parties and witnesses.
- Keep records: Preserve your medical bills together with repair estimates and all forms of correspondence.
- Be cautious with statements: Avoid admitting fault or speaking to the other driver’s insurance agent.
- Consult a lawyer: Before you agree to any settlement terms consult an Arkansas car accident attorney.
The outlined steps establish a strong basis for your case while providing your attorney additional resources to utilize.
Costs of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Legal representation costs concern many accident victims but there is positive news for them.
Car accident lawyers throughout Arkansas typically operate under contingency fee structures. This means:
- No upfront costs
- No hourly fees
- Legal representation payment depends on winning your case.
- The lawyer receives payment in the form of a percentage from your settlement amount.
This payment structure ensures that your lawyer works diligently to secure the highest possible settlement for you.
Get to know a lawyer’s payment plan before signing with them. Contingency fees usually fall between 25% to 40% of the settlement amount but typically center around 33%.
The increased settlements that attorneys secure mean you will likely end up with more money in your pocket despite paying legal fees.
The Road to Recovery
Recovering from injuries makes handling insurance claims after a car accident an extremely overwhelming task. An Arkansas car accident attorney helps you reduce stress while working to secure fair compensation for your claim.
The insurance companies employ specialized teams to reduce the amounts they pay out. Your legal advocate ensures that negotiations with insurance companies remain equitable.
Final Thoughts
Handling insurance claims following an automobile crash can be completed with professional help instead of doing it by yourself. An Arkansas car accident lawyer with experience will manage legal challenges so you can concentrate on your healing process.
A competent lawyer provides essential knowledge about Arkansas’s at-fault system while accurately determining your damages and negotiating with insurance companies.
Don’t settle for less than you deserve. In cases where you have suffered an injury from an accident caused by another driver contact a professional attorney to obtain necessary compensation that supports your recovery.
