If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, you are facing plenty of obstacles ahead, and filing a car accident claim on top of everything else may feel like too much for right now. After all, you are nursing injuries, facing mounting medical bills, experiencing lost earnings, and enduring the physical and emotional pain and suffering that attends violent car accidents – it is a lot. All of this is all the more reason why filing your car accident claim sooner rather than later is in your best interest.
Even relatively straightforward car accident claims tend to be complicated and lengthy, and if you run into a snag along the way – and need to file a lawsuit against the insurance company – there are strict time restraints involved. All told, your rights are better protected by filing your car accident claim as soon after the accident as you can.
The Statute of Limitations
In the State of Texas, you have two years from the date of your injury-causing accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver’s insurance provider, and in the course of these two years, you will also be facing the physical, financial, and emotional consequences of the car accident itself. The earlier you file your car accident claim, the better prepared you will be to address whatever comes your way, and when an insurance company is involved, there can be plenty coming your way. An important point to keep in mind is that you are not alone in this process. While you tend to your recovery, your experienced personal injury attorney will skillfully handle your car accident claim on your behalf.
The Car Insurance Company
Many accident victims are under the mistaken belief that they can trust the car insurance company involved to compensate them fairly for the damages they’ve suffered. The truth is that the insurance company is a for-profit enterprise that sinks considerable resources into bolstering profits by diminishing settlements (like yours), and the following kind of tactics are often involved:
If the insurance company offers you an early settlement, it is very likely a lowball amount that it hopes you will accept out of desperation before you have a clear understanding of the extent of your damages.
If the insurance company denies your claim outright, it is very likely a blanket attempt to shake off claimants who do not have legal representation and who are especially unsure.
If the insurance company makes the claims process even lengthier and more complicated than it has to be, do not be tempted to give up in frustration, as that is what they are aiming for.
If the insurance company attempts to shift blame away from their policyholder and toward you, do not be fooled by this common ploy.
If the insurance company casts doubt regarding the extent of the damages you claim, simply look to your attorney to bolster the facts of the matter with evidence that is difficult to refute.
There are all common practices by insurers, and your skilled car accident attorney knows how to help protect your legal rights.