A lot of people think that their lawyer can settle their car accident case in a matter of weeks. While there are some times when this may be the case, they are few and far between. For example, if you hire a lawyer simply because your insurance claim has been denied, they may indeed be able to settle your car accident lawsuit quickly. Let’s say that your claim was only denied because you didn’t include a copy of your mechanic’s repair estimate. If all your attorney needs to do is submit that missing paperwork, they can get things resolved quickly.
Most car accident cases involve a lot more than this. If all you had to do was submit a receipt from your mechanic, you probably wouldn’t have hired a Houston car wreck lawyer in the first place. Although, once your insurance claim is denied, it’s not a bad idea to meet with a Houston car accident lawyer. Your case may be a lot more complicated than the one described above.
In most car accident cases, there is a lot more involved than submitting some paperwork. There’s a good chance your lawyer will have to file a lawsuit. If this is the case, it can take quite some time to settle your case. Here, we’ll talk about the steps involved in a car accident lawsuit including the settlement process.
When Will You Need to File Legal Action?
If you’re lucky, your accident claim will be paid right away. If the insurance company approves your claim, you’ll get your check within a week or two. You can use it to pay off any outstanding medical bills. You can also use it to pay to get your car fixed.
If, however, your claim is denied, things will get more complicated. Some of the reasons your insurance claim may be denied include:
- The policy is invalid for one reason or another
- You have filed several insurance claims in the last ten years
- They don’t think you were really hurt
- Your claim is very expensive and they think they can settle for less down the road
- They truly think you were responsible for the crash
Now, if the policy was expired or cancelled, there’s nothing your Houston car accident lawyer can do. They’ll have no choice but to file suit. For the other reasons, however, your attorney can try to negotiate a settlement of your claim.
If the insurance company still refuses to pay your claim, your car accident attorney in Texas will file suit on your behalf. This suit will be filed against the other driver. Their insurance company will be required to represent them in this suit.
What are the Chances Your Case Will Be Settled?
The good news is that very few car accident lawsuits actually go to trial. Nobody wants to go to trial. They’re expensive and time consuming. There’s also the chance that you’ll lose in court. This is why your Houston car accident lawyer will work hard to settle your car accident lawsuit.
This is usually done through a process called mediation. The court actually requires plaintiffs in these types of cases to attend mediation. This is where an impartial third party (usually an experienced attorney) will listen to both sides tell their story. They’ll also look at the evidence that you would submit if the case did go to trial. They’ll give their opinion about what should happen.
You are not forced to accept the mediator’s recommendation. However, it’s a good idea to consider doing so. They have a good idea of what the judge will do if the case goes to trial. It can take a few months to even get to this point. If you don’t want to wait several more months, or longer, than it’s a good idea to agree to a settlement.
An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Settle Your Car Accident Lawsuit
If you or your loved one are hurt in any sort of crash, you need help. It’s a good idea to contact an experienced Houston, Texas accident lawyer right away. This way, you do not have to worry about dealing with the insurance company all on your own. Your attorney will negotiate with them to try to settle your claim.
Call today and schedule your initial consultation. It is free to meet with your lawyer for the first time. You will not have to pay a dime until you settle your case.