Posted on Tuesday, November 8th, 2016 at 3:06 am
When you are in a traffic accident, one of your priorities is getting a working vehicle. You need to have a reliable means of transportation to get to work, take the kids to school, and run errands for your family. You do not have the money to pay to repair your vehicle. Unfortunately, you are at the mercy of the insurance company for the other driver.
Once you file an insurance claim, the insurance company can respond in one of several ways.
Find the Vehicle a Total Loss
The insurance company will have your car inspected for damages. If the cost to repair your vehicle exceeds the value of your vehicle, the insurance company will declare the vehicle a total loss. In this case, the insurance company pays you, or the lender if you have a car loan, the fair market value of the vehicle. In some cases, if the repairs cost more than a percentage of the value of the vehicle (i.e. 80%), the insurance company may choose to total the vehicle. You can research to determine if the insurance company is paying the full value of the vehicle before accepting the offer. Check NADA and Kelley Blue Book to check values of vehicles in your area. If in doubt, contact a Sacramento car accident attorney.
Repair Your Vehicle
The insurance company may pay for the repairs on your vehicle. You have the right to choose the company who repairs your vehicle. Unfortunately, the insurance company may have the right to use after-market parts on your vehicle depending on the age of your vehicle. Discuss what repairs are being made and the parts that will be used to make the repairs with the mechanic or body shop before authorizing the work. If you feel you are not being treated fairly, contact a lawyer immediately.
Deny Your Claim
The insurance company may find a reason to deny your claim in whole or in part. For example, the insurance company may say that you caused the accident or contributed to the accident; therefore, it is not responsible for paying to repair your vehicle. Another example is when the mechanic wants to make repairs that the insurance company refuses to pay. You have several choices if this problem arises. Contact our office immediately for a free case evaluation.
Ignore You
In some cases, the insurance company simply ignores your claim. You call and call, but no one returns your calls. If this is happening to you, call our office for a free legal consultation. You have rights under California’s personal injury laws. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve after a traffic accident.
Call A Sacramento Car Accident Attorney
If you are fighting with an insurance company regarding repairs to your vehicle, we can help. Call our office for a free consultation with a Sacramento car accident attorney. You can reach the Tiemann Law Firm by calling (916) 999-9000 or by chatting with a representative on our website.
