Yes, your lawyer can handle the insurance company for you after a boat or jet ski accident. It’s typically best to let an experienced lawyer handle the insurance company.
Insurance companies care most about one thing: their bottom line. They will look for any way to reduce what they pay on a claim. If you file a personal injury claim after a boat/jet ski accident, you’ll have to face the insurance company. However, a lawyer will make it a lot easier.
At John Foy & Associates, our boat/jet ski accident lawyers know how to win cases. We’ll use our 20-plus years of experience to fight for what you deserve. To get a FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
How Will Your Boat/Jet Ski Accident Lawyer Handle the Insurance Company?
After a boat/jet ski accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for personal injury damages you did not cause. You can seek compensation through a personal injury case. If the owner or operator has insurance, you can file an insurance claim.
After the accident, the insurance company will spring into action. An insurance adjuster will probably try to contact you. If you’re not careful, they could take advantage of your vulnerable state. But a lawyer will protect your rights.
Here are some of the most important ways a boat/jet ski accident lawyer helps your case.
Dealing with the Insurance Company Early On
Insurance adjusters are supposed to look for ways to reduce costs. After your accident, the insurance company can use tactics like:
- Asking questions to get you to admit fault
- Downplaying the severity of your injuries
- Offering you a lowball settlement upfront
- Intimidating you into accepting less
- Making you feel like you don’t need a lawyer to settle
Do not trust the insurance company after a boat accident. Even if the adjuster seems friendly, they are not on your side. The only person on your side, in this case, is your boat/jet ski accident lawyer.
Your lawyer can help you handle the insurance company from the beginning. They can advise you on the best actions to protect your rights. Plus, your attorney can handle all communication with the insurer.
When an insurance company sees you’ve hired a lawyer, they’re more likely to take you seriously. The company will know that you are determined to get a fair settlement.
Investigating the Accident
Your lawyer will start investigating the accident immediately. They might return to the area of the accident to gather evidence. Your lawyer will also review the police report, medical records, and more.
An experienced boat/jet ski accident lawyer will know what evidence is most vital for a successful case. You can save a lot of time working with a professional early on.
Documenting Your Damages
There are two main types of damages you’ll have: special and general damages (Georgia Code Section 51-12-2).
Special damages include:
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Property damage
You can prove special damages through bills, receipts, and other documents. Your lawyer can gather evidence of your special damages.
General damages are more complicated. Examples of these losses include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of companionship
General damages require a specific formula to calculate. Your lawyer will know how to determine the worth of these losses.
They can add up the total of your damages from the accident. When you file your insurance claim, you’ll know what your costs are worth. Plus, you’ll be able to build the most robust case possible.
Negotiating for a Fair Settlement
After you file a personal injury claim, your lawyer must respond. Most of the time, the insurance company will send a lowball settlement offer. This offer won’t come close to covering all of your damages.
Thankfully, a good lawyer knows how to negotiate. They will fight for a fair settlement that accounts for all losses. If the negotiation is successful, you’ll get the compensation you deserve.
Legal cases are not failproof. Sometimes, the insurer will refuse to negotiate. If you cannot get a fair settlement, your lawyer will discuss filing a lawsuit. Insurance companies do not like to go to trial, so the chances are good that you can settle before the actual trial date.
Giving You Space to Breathe
Handling a legal case is not easy after an injury accident. You will have painful and expensive injuries that need time to heal. With a lawyer, you can focus on getting better instead of stressing about the insurance company.
Personal injury claims often involve a lot of back and forth with the insurer. Your boat/jet ski accident lawyer can handle the time commitment this process involves. You can spend your time healing and being with family.
Get the strong arm
How Soon Should You Hire a Boat/Jet Ski Accident Lawyer?
The sooner you can get a lawyer, the better it will be for your case. You might be worried about hiring a lawyer because of the cost. Thankfully, most injury lawyers work on contingency, which means:
- Your lawyer doesn’t receive payment unless they win your case.
- The lawyer’s fee comes out of the settlement you win — not your pocket.
You don’t have to worry about upfront or out-of-pocket costs. Your lawyer only “wins” if they win your case for you.
Talk to a Boat/Jet Ski Accident Lawyer for Free Today
If a boat or jet ski accident injured you, don’t wait to contact a lawyer. An experienced lawyer can start protecting your legal rights. They’ll handle the insurance company so that you don’t have to worry.
John Foy & Associates has been helping injury victims for over 20 years. Our boat/jet ski accident lawyers do not collect a fee unless we win your case. Plus, the consultation is always FREE.
To get a FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
