An auto accident attorney’s role in negotiating with insurance companies
An auto accident attorney plays a vital role in negotiating settlements with insurance companies. An experienced lawyer will leverage their case’s evidence and their knowledge of state law to compel fair compensation.
The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato has years of experience helping injured people secure financial recovery. To date, we’ve recovered more than $200 million in damages. Here, you can learn about the benefits of partnering with our auto accident attorneys and how we fight for our clients.
Your Lawyer Starts by Assessing Your Losses
Every car accident generates its own set of recoverable damages. Even two people injured in the same collision could have different financial needs. So, your lawyer starts by assessing the facts of your situation to learn what you need. That way, they can negotiate with the insurance company with a dollar figure in mind.
Compensable losses following a serious motor vehicle accident could include:
- Healthcare costs, including hospitalization, surgeries, and therapy
- Lost income, including tips, bonuses, benefits, and other forms of regular income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses, including childcare costs, temporary transportation arrangements, and in-home assistance
- Wrongful death-related damages (if a loved one suffered a fatal collision)
- Pain and suffering
- Other non-economic damages, such as mental anguish, emotional trauma, and loss of consortium
How a Lawyer Calculates Economic and Non-Economic Damages
You can recover both financial and non-financial losses following an auto accident caused by another party’s negligence. For instance, as the name implies, your financial losses relate to your economic damages, such as medical bills. These losses come with receipts, bills, and invoices that your lawyer can use to calculate their values.
Your non-economic damages, however, don’t come with such documentation–-yet, they could comprise a significant portion of your accident claim. Pain and suffering doesn’t come with an inherent dollar value. Here, your personal injury attorney will consider many facts of your situation to arrive at a fair figure. They will consider the severity of your condition, your estimated recovery period, and the facts of the collision itself.
Your Auto Accident Lawyer Submits a Demand Letter and Negotiates
Before negotiations start, your lawyer will send the liable insurance company a demand letter. This document requests compensation for your losses and outlines the other party’s liability. It’s rare for an insurance company to offer fair compensation immediately after receiving this letter. So, your lawyer may negotiate for what you need.
Negotiating is both a skill and an art form. It also requires your lawyer to have a comprehensive understanding of the liable insurance policy, along with what bad-faith insurance practices the liable party may employ.
Here’s the good news: most auto accident cases get resolved through negotiations with insurance companies. What’s more, you have options if this doesn’t yield a fair outcome.
Alternative Resolution Options Following a Florida Car Accident 
The claims process isn’t a black-and-white ordeal––meaning recovering compensation isn’t about filing a lawsuit or a claim. There are other options that can secure what you need without heading straight to court. These include:
- Mediation. Here, you and the other party sit down with a neutral, third-party mediator. They don’t rule on the case like a judge would. Instead, they guide both parties to a compromise.
- Arbitration. Arbitration is a lot like going to trial, except in many cases, it’s faster and less formal. Here, either a single arbitrator or a panel will decide on a case. They might not even apply state or federal law after learning the case’s facts––which could be a preferable route if there are allegations of fault.
You don’t have to spend hours researching your options to understand the best route for your claim. By hiring an auto accident attorney, you get an advocate who can explain your next steps and pursue compensation accordingly.
You Can File a Lawsuit if Negotiations Don’t Work Out
If negotiations don’t offer compensation, your lawyer may file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. Here are some things to know about initiating a civil case:
- Negotiations may continue even as the trial unfolds. If we agree to a settlement with the insurance company, we can drop the lawsuit and resolve your case.
- You have a limited time to sue under Florida Statutes § 95.11––also known as the state’s statute of limitations. You generally have two years from the date of your car accident to sue the negligent party.
- Your lawyer handles everything involved in filing and completing your lawsuit. You don’t have to spend hours watching TV courtroom dramas to prepare or endlessly research your options. Your lawyer will explain what to expect and manage matters from there.
Begin Your Free Case Review With Our Auto Accident Injury Team
The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato advocates for car accident claimants. Our lawyers are well-versed in negotiating with insurance companies and helping our clients recover what they need. To begin your free legal consultation, call (954) 633-8270.
