The litigation process after a car accident can be long and tedious; a study released bythe US Department of Justice concluded the average case length for automobile accidents is twenty months. But every case is different, and a variety of elements influence the length of time before a settlement is reached, including the depth of investigation required to prove the case; the recuperation period for any injuries; the response time of hospitals and doctors with medical records and bills; whether or not the medical expenses were paid by Medicaid or Medicare (this always adds time); and how long the judge allows a case to be on their docket before the trial.
Insurance companies are not civic institutions, they are giant corporations. They purposefully drag out claims to decrease the size of settlements. Most, if not all, insurance companies deny and defend claims (and slow them down as long as they can) to maximize profits. After an auto accident, thousands of dollars of medical debt can accumulate immediately, on top of missed work and lost income; bill collectors start calling, and the individual’s credit score is tarnished, then ruined. As most people don’t have thousands of dollars lying around to pay their medical bills, the injured person is forced into a financial corner, and will take the lowest, most insulting offer from the insurance company out of desperation.
And so insurance companies save millions of dollars a year, by low-balling their customers. What happens when you’re even a month late on an insurance bill? The company usually cancels your policy, adds on excessive fees, and/or sends the account to a collection agency; any organization this ruthless is not really looking out for its clients.
A good attorney can hold an insurance company to the fastest possible court schedule, and ensure that the victim is fairly compensated for his or her injuries, both physical and psychological. Time is crucial after an auto accident; the longer you must wait for a settlement, the smaller the check will be.
If you have been hurt in a car accident, contact Mike Agruss Law, for a free consultation at 312-224-4695. Mike Agruss Law, represents personal injury clients throughout Illinois. Mike Agruss Law, will attend to your personal injury case quickly, advise you every step of the way, and the firm will not hesitate to go to trial when necessary.
Mike Agruss Law, does not get paid attorney’s fees unless we win your case—our no-fee promise is that simple. When you hire our Chicago personal injury law firm, you’ll take on no risk; but you will start your course to seeking justice. Call us today at 312-224-4695.
