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334-333-3333When your car gets totaled, it can be devastating and leave you going my car was totaled in an accident, what should I do? Even if you don’t suffer serious injuries in the crash, you’ll lose the ability to get around. If you really need a car to get to work or transport your children, you may have to rent one. This can be frustrating especially when the accident occurred through no fault of your own. Even if you think the vehicle can be repaired, the insurance company may not agree. If the repairs cost more than the vehicle is currently worth, insurers usually write it off as a total loss.
Claims involving these types of accidents tend to be more complicated than those relating to repairs. There are many steps involved. However, if you know what to do after the accident, you can speed up the claims process. In many cases having an Alabama car accident attorney on your side can make things go a lot more smoothly.
Experienced attorneys will help you to resolve the claim, purchase a new vehicle, and get back on the road. However, there’s a lot you can do.
You don’t want to waste time with a total loss claim since it can take more than a month to finalize. The insurer has a role to play in how long it takes. However, the sooner you file the claim, the sooner they can begin working.
If you believe your vehicle is beyond repair, have it taken to one of the shops approved by your insurer. Doing this from the start can help to make the process go faster. It’s also unlikely that you’ll have to pay a storage fee as you would if you went to another shop.
If you haven’t paid off your car loan, you need to know if your balance is greater than the car’s current value. The insurance company will only pay based on the actual cash value of the vehicle, not the amount you owe. If you have gap insurance or loan/lease payoff, you’ll be in a better position.
The insurance company will assign a value to the car. However, you may find it helpful to do your own research. This will help you to determine whether the insurance company is being fair. To get a ballpark figure, you can use Kelley Blue Book or check listings for similar vehicles in your area. If you did major upgrades to your car recently, you should present the receipts.
A totaled vehicle can require lots of paperwork. You’ll need to reach an agreement with the insurer on the payout. You may also need to transfer ownership of the vehicle to the insurance company if you’re still paying a loan.
One of the most important things you’ll have to do is prove the true value of your vehicle. While this may be difficult for you to do alone, we have experience in working with owners of damaged vehicles. We’ll help you collect all the evidence you need to convince the insurer. We’ll work hard to ensure you can get another vehicle of equal worth.
Without a lawyer on your side, you’re highly unlikely to get the full value of your vehicle. Insurance companies will never pay out more than they absolutely have to. They’ll try to get you to settle for a lower amount than you truly deserve. When you have an attorney negotiating on your behalf, the insurer won’t be able to take you for granted. They know attorneys are skilled negotiators and they can also take cases to court if necessary. If you have a lawyer, you’re more like to get a quick, fair settlement.
Insurance companies are not easy to deal with. If your car was totaled, you need to have your claim settled as soon as possible. The best way to do this is to seek advice and representation from an attorney. When you work with the lawyers at The Vance Law Firm, we help you to resolve your claim quickly. We’ll work hard to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for both injuries and property damage. Simply contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
