Many of our Los Angeles clients first inquire about how long it will take to settle their personal injury case – and whether there is any way to do so speedily. When someone is suffering from injuries, is unable to work, and is coping with the plethora of real-world pressures that come with an accident, a quick fix may appear to be the best option to get life back to “normal.” It’s crucial to remember that, despite the desire to settle quickly, a rapid resolution is rarely the best choice.
There are a number of procedures that must be performed to ensure that an injured client has the best chance of recovering. We make it a point to thoroughly investigate every area of a case and gather all of the facts and information we require to effectively represent our clients.
Many of these measures, despite being time-consuming, result in larger recoveries for our clients and greater security for their families. Each of these stages is necessary to ensure that no stone is left unturned. The following are some of the steps we take to ensure that our clients are protected:
- Insurers are prohibited from inventing their own injury descriptions because of medical treatment
- Often, insurance companies will try to minimize injuries and limitations; therefore, getting necessary medical treatment and documentation from treating physicians is the most important part of any case.
- An insurance adjuster will ignore any injuries that aren’t documented in the medical records in an effort to pay less than what is fair, regardless of their severity. Insurance companies value evidence-based care.
Furthermore, until the doctors have produced a complete and thorough assessment, no one knows the genuine image of what these injuries may look like in the future. This is why it’s crucial to follow the doctor’s directions, continue therapy, and complete all necessary procedures and tests.
As a result, we prefer not to settle a case before the therapy is completed. If you do it too soon, you can miss out on important details that would boost the case’s worth. We can ensure that we have a complete picture of past and prospective injuries and restrictions by gathering this information.
Gather All Medical Bills
Several of our clients owe medical bills and have claims against their health insurance companies that must be paid. It’s critical that we collect all of the bills from each treatment center.
One of the most crucial components of our conversations with the insurance company is these bills. If we try to rush through this procedure and skip phases, a client may end up with medical expenses that they are unable to pay. We may get the necessary bills, write-offs, adjustments, and liens by going through all of this prior to settlement and calculating the full amount owed to a client.
A Factual Investigation can Help Prove Your Case
In some cases, people believe that resolving a personal injury claim is as simple as submitting the necessary paperwork to the insurance company and receiving a check. The reality, however, is quite different.
Plaintiffs must prove two things in every claim:
- There was legal fault on the defendant’s part, and
- Plaintiff’s injuries were caused by the defendant’s acts or omissions.
In some instances, this is simple (e.g., when someone is rear-ended while stopped at a red light). It can get a lot more complicated in other circumstances. For example, we frequently encounter scenarios in which both drivers in a car accident blame the other, or where there is a disagreement over who had the green light or the right of way. Routine questions concerning the speed of vehicles in an automobile accident, the nature or state of a property prior to a fall, or even the identification of the boss in a workplace accident may be asked.
The proof of a case – or the lack of one – can be determined by a thorough investigation. As a result, the information we gather (e.g., acquiring police reports, subpoenaing crash photos and witness statements, visiting local businesses and trying to obtain a video of the crash or incident, chasing down property records and deeds, establishing corporate relationships between potential property owners, etc.) is used to counter insurance arguments while also providing the assistance we need to try to prove our case. Bypassing any of these processes could lead to the omission of critical facts and the dismissal of possible arguments.
It is Important to Identify All Insurance Policies
People are frequently surprised by how complicated insurance rules and regulations are. We just published a book called, because so many of our clients have questions about their insurance coverage.
The huge range of conceivable regulations that exist is something that most people are unaware of. Every one of that insurance may be a new source of funds to help our customers get back on their feet. This could take the shape of auto health insurance or a liability policy that covers the at-fault driver. It’s common to check at underinsured or uninsured motorist policies to determine if there are any further levels of coverage that can kick in if there isn’t enough insurance.
There are also several other layers to consider, including homeowner’s policies, umbrella policies, household policies, short-term disability, long-term disability, burial, rental, and lost wage insurance, to mention a few. Finding and reviewing a range of insurance takes time, but it is necessary to ensure that our clients are covered.
Maximizing Results is All that Matters
We at Siman Law Firm, take every step possible to investigate a client’s case in order to obtain the best possible outcome. The process takes time. The more time and effort we put into investigation and preparation, the more likely we are to succeed. Although doing it right can take a little longer than some people expect, the end result puts more money in the pocket of our clients – the most important consideration.