After you’ve been in a car accident one of the first things you do is report it to your insurance company. You need to go through them to see what your coverage is and where they will allow you to take your vehicle for repairs. Insurance companies do not have a precise mathematical formula to determine settlement amounts, they are determined on a case by case basis and depend on a variety of factors, like –

• model of car
• value of car
• extent of damages

A Salt Lake City car accident lawyer can advise you if you are receiving the proper settlement for your accident.

Repairs

If the damage to your vehicle is repairable, the settlement from the insurance company will normally pay for those repairs. If, for example, you lost one of your side mirrors and scratched the paint on the car, they will determine how much the mirror should cost to replace and how much they are willing to pay to repaint it.

There are situations where the repair cost is more than your insurance is willing to pay, which may require the vehicle be deemed a “total loss.” They are then only responsible for paying the value of the vehicle minus depreciation and not what it would cost to replace your car. A Salt Lake City car accident lawyer can help you if feel this settlement is unfair.

Personal Injury Claim

Being involved in a car accident can cause damage to more than just your car. You may have suffered injuries as well. The personal injury part of your claim will be handled separately from your property damage claim. As such, the insurance company will need to award you an additional settlement in compensation for your injuries.

This settlement will be determined by –

• total medical bills
• loss of wages
• extent of your injuries

A Salt Lake City car accident lawyer can advise you about your rights in the event of a personal injury claim. Insurance companies will not be looking out for your best interests, they are concerned with the best, lowest, “business-friendly” settlement they can award. A Salt Lake City car accident lawyer will be there for you to ensure you are paid the full settlement you are entitled to.