Car Accident Insurance Claims in Thousand Oaks

As advocates for people hurt in car accidents, we know that every victim is unique and every injury heals differently. The trouble with car insurance companies is that they tend to treat people in much the same way they treat damaged cars: They’re only willing to spend a certain, usually small amount to make the situation better, and their top priority is to reduce their liability, not to make people whole again.

That’s not right. That’s why we’re so passionate about the work we do at Ardalan & Associates. It shouldn’t just be you against the insurance company – that’s a fight you can’t win. We’ll help you take care of the insurance and protect your legal rights. Call to learn more about car accident insurance claims in Thousand Oaks.

Understanding Your California Car Insurance Coverage

California law requires all motorists to have insurance. However, not all motorists understand the type of coverage they have. Too often, we’ve seen insurance companies take advantage of people who didn’t know, by no fault of their own, that their losses were covered.

Liability Coverage: This type of insurance covers the cost of injuries and damage you inflict in an accident you cause. The minimum requirements in California are known as 15/30/5 coverage: $15,000 for injuries to any one person per accident, $30,000 total for injuries per accident, and $5,000 for property damage. Since the cost of an accident often exceeds those minimum requirements, many motorists choose to purchase more coverage.
Collision and comprehensive: These two coverage types pay for repairs to your vehicle or a replacement vehicle. Collision insures you against damage that occurs as a result of a crash, while comprehensive insures you against non-crash-related damage such as theft, fire and hail. While you are not legally required to have either type of coverage, if you have a loan, the lienholder will likely require both types.
Medical and funeral services coverage: This type of insurance pays for medical expenses and burial costs for you and anyone in your vehicle on a no-fault basis, up to the policy limit.
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage: Unfortunately, many California drivers break the law and drive without insurance. This type of coverage allows you to collect compensation from your own insurance company, up to the policy limit, for an accident caused by another driver who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough liability coverage.

We highly encourage you to review your insurance policy and make sure you have enough coverage in the event of an accident in Thousand Oaks. And if you can’t make sense of it, our attorneys are more than happy to help.

Here’s What You Need to Know About Dealing With the Insurance Company

You can (and should) talk to a lawyer. The insurance companies may tell you that you don’t need an attorney. They may claim that they’re on your side. And as soon as they’re done talking to you, they’ll pick up the phone and dial their lawyer. That’s because they know that in a complex injury case, it’s critical to have legal representation. You should, too. At the very least, contact us for a free consultation with an experienced Thousand Oaks attorney so that you’re aware of your rights.

You have the right to negotiate. Don’t just assume that the insurance company’s initial offer is fair. Often, that offer is a “lowball” settlement that won’t even come close to paying the full cost of your accident. If the insurance company offers $20,000 and you have $30,000 in medical bills, you aren’t being greedy by asking for more. You’re just asking to be made whole again after being hurt through no fault of your own.

You should wait to accept an offer. In most cases, you need to wait until you have completed your medical treatment before even entertaining an offer from the insurance company – after all, you can’t know how much your treatment will cost until it’s done – and you should always review that offer with an experienced attorney before accepting it. Once you’ve taken the insurance company’s money, the matter is settled, and there is very little we can do.

That’s why you need to speak with us before you talk to the insurance company. When you retain our law firm, we’ll contact the insurance company and instruct them to send all further inquiries to our office. That way, we can protect your rights – and advocate for your interests.

Dealing with the insurance companies isn’t easy, but we’ve been beating them at their own game for years. Contact us today and find out how we can help you.