Accident victims in Connecticut seeking compensation for their damages will most likely have to deal with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If you’re faced with the stress of working with an insurance company to get a claim processed, contact a Trantolo lawyer. With their legal expertise and knowledge of how to get things done, they can assist you with this time-consuming and sometimes painful process.
Who Do You Sue in a Personal Injury Case?
Most accident victims who have been injured in an accident that was caused by a person or entity’s negligence will seek compensation from an insurance company and not always directly from the at-fault party. Depending on the type and circumstances of the incident, it’s very likely that you’ll need to seek compensation from multiple different parties. It adds to the complexity of a personal injury case.
Victims of car accidents should be aware that the Connecticut state doesn’t follow no-fault laws. It means that plaintiffs should seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s car insurance company. Although optional, Connecticut car drivers can purchase additional PIP, or Personal Injury Protection coverage. It can prove to be beneficial for drivers who are injured in a car crash with a negligent driver who was driving illegally without insurance.
How Insurance Companies Operate in Connecticut Personal Injury Claims
It’s important to remember that insurance companies aren’t working for the victims of accidents. Their unwritten role, unfortunately, is to limit liability and to seek ways to pay out the minimum for compensation. It highlights the importance for any plaintiff in a personal injury case to only seek a settlement under the guidance of an experienced accident attorney.
Knowing how to work with them and negotiate the best possible settlement isn’t always as simple as you’d like. What may at first seem like an easy process can quickly turn into confusion, headaches, and frustration. Understanding how they work could make the processes a bit easier to swallow.
What Insurance Companies Will Require
Before an insurance company will pay out or even negotiate a settlement, they’ll require proof that their client was negligent and caused the accident. It can be done by gathering evidence, and the victim carries this burden. If one seeks to prove negligence, typical evidence will include:
- Accident reports
- Photos of the accident
- First responders notes
- Eyewitness statements
If the insurance company agrees that their client was negligent and caused the accident, they’ll then request proof of your injuries. Many insurance companies will deny the claim without solid evidence of severe injuries. They won’t pay if the injuries are mere bruises, so you’ll have the burden of proving that you were severely harmed. Solid evidence to prove injuries are:
- Photos of your injuries
- Emergency room intake and discharge papers
- All medical documents related to the accident
- Medical images like X-rays, MRIs, and CAT scans
The primary reason for seeking a settlement is to cover all damages from the accident. They can include economic and non-economic damages, and a personal injury attorney can help you to seek compensation for everything you deserve. Proof of damages can include:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- The costs of over-the-counter medications and/or necessary medical devices
- Prescription medication costs
- Any travel-related expenses to and from medical treatments
- Past, current, and expected future loss of income and benefits
- The expected cost of continued or future medical treatment
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Insurance companies may discredit any non-economic damages like loss of consortium. However, a savvy personal injury attorney will fight for your right to receive compensation for all of your damages.
What Do Insurance Companies Value in a Plaintiff’s Claims?
While their job is to pay out the minimum amount possible, certain factors will weigh heavily towards the plaintiff’s possible compensation. The amount of negligence their client posed, especially for a heinous act, can lead to a quicker and higher settlement amount. Defendants who were intoxicated and caused catastrophic injuries will be held to a much higher degree, and compensation amounts could be higher than if it were simply driver error.
Factors that insurance companies value include:
- The severity of the injury
- The type and length of treatment
- The permanency of the injury
How Connecticut Insurance Companies Operate in Personal Injury Claims Explained
Dealing with medical treatments and chronic pain caused by an accident is difficult, but the necessity of dealing with an insurance company can add to an already stressful and uncomfortable situation. Unfortunately, this is a part of the process of being compensated.
Negotiating with an insurance company should only be handled with legal representation. Insurance companies aren’t on the side of the accident victim, and without a legal team of their own, they’ll surely leave money on the table.
By Cheryl Roy