Seeking fair compensation for injuries and damages sustained in car accident can be a trying experience, especially if you decide to go it alone. An experienced Palmdale car accident lawyer will tell you that claimants and insurance company adjusters often reach an impasse when it comes to what each considers a fail claims settlement. Before getting into one possible settlement option, a review of the accident statistics for Palmdale, California will shed some light on just how often accident victims must deal with these issues.
Palmdale Car Accidents Injure More than Two People Every Day
A quick glance at Palmdale's car accident statistics can be unsettling. In 2006, the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) reported that 10 people were killed and 756 were injured in city car crashes. Car accidents also injured 29 pedestrians, 27 bicyclists and 38 motorcyclists. Moreover, DUI car crashes resulted in four fatalities and 66 injuries. In 2008, six car collisions ended in six fatalities.
Winning by Waiting
Savvy Palmdale car accident lawyers will tell you that if you and the insurance adjuster can't agree on what's fair, you can try to settle the matter in court. This can be pretty unpredictable, since the judge can award you more than your claim, less than your claim, or zero. If the verdict is challenged by the person who caused the accident, he or she may appeal and you're back to square one.
You could, on the other hand, just wait things out. California allows two years to settle an injury claim or file a lawsuit. Insurance adjusters don't like to wait, their mandate is to get claims settled as quickly as possible. Palmdale car collision lawyers know that adjusters get paid by how fast they settle a case, as well as how much money they save their company. Adjusters also know that many car accident injuries take time to manifest themselves--the longer they wait, the more injuries you're likely to claim. So if time is on your side and you can afford to negotiate at a snail's pace, the insurance company may just capitulate to your desired compensation number.
Seek the Advice of an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
As many accident victims have discovered, going it alone requires skill, patience and knowledge. There are mistakes to avoid and specific procedures to follow. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you. The best Palmdale car crash lawyers offer no charge, no pressure consultations.
Since 1978, Bisnar | Chase lawyers have represented over six thousand people in car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian and other personal injury cases. The law firm has an "AV" rating, the highest level of professional excellence, by Martindale-Hubble. John Bisnar, who is the author of this article, and his partner Brian Chase each have a "10" Avvo rating, the highest possible. John was named a "Community Hero" by the United Way, while Brian was named a "Trial Lawyer of the Year" in 2004 and one of the 2007 Top 100 Trial Lawyers. More important than all their top ratings and awards are the testimonials their clients bestow on them. Isn't this the team you want representing you? For more information on Palmdale car accident lawyers, visit the Bisnar Chase book website at http://www.bestattorneybooks.com or call 1-800-561-4887.
Copyright 2009 Bisnar | Chase LLP. All Rights Reserved.
