Posted on Wednesday, August 24th, 2016 at 1:08 am
There are several things you must take care of in the days and weeks after a car crash. Your top priority should be your health; however, you must also take care of various things such as reporting the accident to law enforcement and filing an insurance claim. If you take the right steps after a crash, you can maximize the amount of compensation you receive for your accident claim.
Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to recover from your physical injuries while dealing with insurance adjusters, mechanics, body shops, doctor’s offices, and work? Do you need assistance filing an accident claim? Our personal injury attorneys can take the stress of dealing with the insurance company off of you so that you can focus solely on your recovery and your family. Call Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or chat with a representative on our website to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with an experienced Sacramento car accident attorney!
Making Repairs to Your Vehicle After a Car Accident
If your vehicle is damaged in a car accident, one of your priorities will be getting your car fixed so that you have a reliable form of transportation. In some cases, the damage to your vehicle will be repairable. For repairable damages, the insurance company may require that you obtain several estimates for repairs unless you use a repair shop authorized by the company. Some insurance companies try to force you to use a repair shop on its “approved list.”
Even though the insurance company may try to make it difficult, you have the legal right to use any repair shop of your choice to repair your vehicle! The insurance company cannot force you to choose a repair shop from a list the company provides. If an insurance adjuster is telling you that you cannot use your own repair shop, contact our office immediately. Do not sign any waivers or releases and do not pay for the repairs yourself until you consult with an attorney.
Getting The Highest Value For Your Vehicle
If your vehicle is damaged beyond repair (according to the insurance company), the insurance company will “total” your vehicle and it will offer you the fair market value to settle the property damage claim. Typically, an insurance company will consider a vehicle totaled if the cost to repair the vehicle is close to or exceeds the fair market value. Unfortunately, determining the fair market value of a vehicle can become an issue.
An insurance adjuster may use one or more sources to determine the fair market value of your vehicle. The fair market value is the amount your vehicle is worth based on what an average person would pay for your vehicle in today’s economy. An adjuster may use resources such as Kelley Blue Book (i.e. the “Blue Book Value”) or NADA to determine what the current market value of your vehicle.
Unfortunately, this may not be the true value of your vehicle. If you made modifications to your vehicle, such as adding aftermarket parts, your vehicle may actually have a higher market value. If you have receipts for the modifications, this can help prove that your vehicle is worth more than the Blue Book value. Before accepting the first offer made by an insurance adjuster, consult with our office to ensure you are receiving the maximum allowable amount for your vehicle.
Call A Sacramento Car Accident Attorney
If you are fighting with an insurance adjuster regarding your accident claim, we can help. Call the Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or chat with a representative on our website to schedule a free case evaluation.
