People need to understand that insurance companies are in the business of making money, nothing more. They do that in 2 ways. The first way is by collecting your premium dollars. If you are a safe driver the company keeps your premium dollars and doesn’t have to pay anything out. The second way is the adjustment of claims. When faced with a claim, the company either denies the claim entirely or tries to settle it cheaply. The average claimant has absolutely no idea what fair compensation is or how to go about proving it. They are at the mercy of adjusters who are trained to play on people’s lack of knowledge and experience. Always keep in mind that adjusters earn job promotions based upon the amount of money they can save their company. Simple logic tells us that they don’t get those promotions by paying fair value on claims.

 

When adjusters deal with unrepresented people they also know they can wait those people out. After all, they’ve got your money. They know there is absolutely nothing an unrepresented person can do about it except become frustrated. Contrast that with the situation where an attorney appears on the claim. The insurance company will immediately adjust its cash reserve, which is the amount of money it has set aside based upon its own claim valuation. The company will adjust that reserve upward because the company will know that it will have to pay more money to resolve this claim. In my experience, people who try to represent themselves virtually always end up with less money in their pocket than had they hired competent legal counsel. There is a reason for the old adage that “a person who represents themselves has a fool for a client.” The short answer to your question is yes, a person can represent him or herself. However, it is very likely that they won’t like the result.

 

If A Settlement Is Reached With Insurance How Long Will It Take For Me To Receive Actual Funds?

The process in Washington typically involves receiving a form Release of all Claims. This is a contractual document between an injured person and the at fault party’s insurance company. The Release will be mailed to your attorney from the adjuster. You will need to sign it, usually before a Notary Public, and then return it to the insurance company. Once that document is received by the company, a check will be cut and mailed to your attorney. That check will need to be deposited for collection through the attorney’s trust account. This is a requirement of the Washington State Bar Association and will be done in every case. Once that check clears the payor bank, you will receive your funds, an accounting of fees charged, and litigation costs recouped. This typically involves 2 or 3 weeks or so of time and is also influenced by whether some additional negotiations have to occur. Your healthcare providers may need to be repaid and if so, how much are they claiming in subrogation? These are all matters that your attorney will handle but they can add time to the final closure of the case.

 

What Are Some Simple Tips That Can Potentially Help Someone’s Auto Accident Claim?

 

One thing that has become quite prominent these days is social media. You can help your case by staying off social media, especially as to any discussion of your case, your damages, what happened and so forth. You can help your case by being honest and truthful at all times. Don’t exaggerate your injuries or losses, don’t malinger, and if you are well go back to work. See quality doctors and therapists. In other words don’t go outside the mainstream. Treat with quality physicians and therapists and your case will have far greater credibility. Another thing that’s important is that you should give a detailed medical history at each and every visit to a healthcare provider. That documents your claim, your course of treatment, your course of recovery and so forth.

 

It’s very important to make all your medical appointments and to be on time and be courteous. You don’t need to make enemies of your healthcare providers because it will only hurt you in the end. Finally, I would say help your attorney out by providing regular updates as to health issues, medical issues, employment issues and so forth that may have a bearing on your case.

 

What Sets You Apart In Handling Auto Accident Claims?

 

We pride ourselves on quality legal representation. We limit the types of cases we take on; we don’t try to be all things to all people. We limit the number of cases we take so that cases don’t fall through the cracks. We spend the money necessary to properly prepare a case for settlement or trial when that becomes necessary. Finally, we believe that the opinions of our clients and the results we have achieved over these past many years speak for themselves.

 

For more information on Need For An Attorney In A PI Claim, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (425) 451-8333  today.