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Understanding How Car Accident Settlements Work

October 9, 2018

Car Accident Settlements

After a car accident, there are various legal situations that may arise, making it difficult for a plaintiff to endure. One of the things that insurance companies often try to use in order to entice the victim is a settlement offer.

When car accident cases go to trial, the insurance company is often worried about their own bottom line and profits. Trials give victims the opportunity to seek maximum compensation, so for the insurance company, offering a settlement gives them hope of escaping a trial and getting through the situation without paying as much as they should.

Understanding how a settlement works can keep you aware of what to expect. Here’s what you should know about settlements so you know whether it is right for you.

The Process

After an accident, taking action begins and your attorney will discuss the case with the insurance company. Most of the time, this leads to the insurance company offering a specific amount as a settlement to the injured party.

A settlement has two purposes to the insurance company:

  • A settlement by the insurance company means they are trying to avoid going to trial. This keeps the insurance company and negligent party out of the public eye.
  • A settlement also helps the insurance company protect their own bottom line and pay out less than the injured party deserves.

When the settlement is offered, you as the plaintiff can either accept it and take the payment to get through the process as quickly as possible, or you may go to trial. You may be able to counter the offer, as well, hoping to get more without enduring the trial process.

By having a lawyer on your side, you can better understand whether a settlement is right for you. In some instances, individuals simply want to settle for the amount they need and avoid the long legal process.

In other situations, you may want to go to trial to seek more compensation, as well as hold the negligent party accountable for their actions and seek justice.

At The Matiasic Firm, our San Francisco car accident attorneys are dedicated to helping injury victims do whatever necessary to hold the negligent party liable for the damages they have caused. We aim to protect your rights from start to finish.

Call us today at (415) 858-6692.

Hear from our clients

“They are the type of lawyers you want to have on your side, the type you can trust!”

“Paul Matiasic represented me in an accident case where I almost got ripped off by the insurance company. The case took a little longer, but Paul and his team (Justin White) never gave up on me. They called/email every week to make sure I was feeling okay and gave me the status of the case. I felt at ease dealing with them. They are very human and care about their clients more than the money. They are the type of lawyers you want to have on your side, the type you can trust!”

Anonymous

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Tim

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“Paul represented me in a very complicated case, the result he got was outstanding. He's a very smart attorney and has a great personality. So glad he represented me!.”

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You can be assured The Matiasic Firm will work as hard for you, too!

“If you find yourself in need of an excellent attorney, I highly recommend The Matiasic Firm. This was a first for me and I will always remember the experience of working with Paul Matiasic and Scott Johnson in pursuing our wrongful death claim. I was turned down several times and then was referred to this firm. After presenting Paul and Scott with the facts as I saw them, they took on my case. The two attorneys as well as their staff was professional and tentative it felt as if I was their only client. We started the case in 2015 and I was advised from day one how difficult it would be but I was kept informed along the way. Any time I had a question or needed clarification Paul or Scott was there. In 2017, a settlement was reached. I just can't say enough of how pleased I was to have been their client. I will recommend Paul Matiasic and Scott Johnson to anyone in need of legal service. You can be assured The Matiasic Firm will work as hard for you, too!”

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“Paul Matiasic was amazing and got me a settlement that satisfied me!”

“I found Mr. Matiasic online and he was the only one of three other lawyers who responded wanting more info. The others did not want to persue the case, thinking it hard to prove. Mr. Matiasic was the only one who asked to meet with me personally to discuss the case and it was only with Mr. Matiasic asking questions and explaining to me the what we needed to prove, that I was able to give him the solid information (photos) that resulted in a successful settlement. He worked with and for me from the initial contact in May 2007 until the settlement in Dec 2007, keeping me appraised at every step of the negotiations. I was more than pleased with the result.”

Anonymous

Paul is a superb attorney

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