The Issue Of Relying Only On Insurance After A Car Wreck
If you are in a car accident in Alaska, you might expect your insurance company to deal with everything. But putting your complete trust in insurance providers can cost you a lot. Being aware of what insurance will and won’t cover, and having a lawyer is necessary to get the compensation you are entitled to.
Understanding Alaska’s Car Insurance Laws
In Alaska, drivers must have at least $50,000 for each person’s bodily injury, $100,000 for all injuries in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
The coverage is meant to cover others if you are the one who caused the accident. Minimum coverage may not cover all costs of a significant accident.
Alaska’s Fault-Based Insurance System
In Alaska, the person who caused the accident is responsible for covering the damages. With this system, accident victims can seek compensation from the driver’s insurance company. Even so, insurance companies usually try to pay out as little as possible, so victims might not receive enough.
What the Minimum Coverage Doesn’t Pay For
The minimum insurance may not cover costs in serious accidents with high medical bills, lost earnings, and long-term recovery. If insurance for the driver who caused the accident is insufficient, victims may have to pay a lot out of their pockets.
Why Insurance Companies Don’t Work in Your Favor
Conflict of Interest: Protecting Their Bottom Line
Adjusters may appear caring, but their primary duty is to protect the insurance company’s interests. Their job is to settle your claim fast and for the least amount, which might not be in your favor.
Common Tactics to Devalue Your Claim
The insurance company may use several tactics to decrease the value of your claim, for example, challenging your medical care, doubting the seriousness of your injuries, or blaming your injuries on previous health problems. Using these methods can have a significant effect on your earnings.
What’s Missing When You Rely Solely on Insurance
Hidden Costs That Insurance Won’t Cover
Insurance does not usually cover pain and suffering, emotional stress, or a lower quality of life. Such losses should be acknowledged and considered when you get compensation.
Long-Term Injuries and Future Medical Expenses
Some accidents can cause injuries that need long-term medical care or leave the victim with permanent disabilities. Insurance companies often do not consider future medical costs, which can cause issues for the injured later.
The Role of Alaska Personal Injury Statutes
Time Limits for Filing a Lawsuit (AS 09.10.070)
As stated in Alaska Statute AS 09.10.070, you must file a personal injury lawsuit two years after the accident. If you miss the deadline, you may not be allowed to take your case to court.
How Shared Fault Affects Your Compensation (Comparative Fault Rule)
You can still get compensation if you are partly responsible for an accident in Alaska. Nevertheless, the amount you receive will be reduced based on how much you are responsible for the accident. If the court decides you are 20% at fault, your compensation will be lowered by 20%.
The Importance of Legal Representation After a Car Wreck
Maximizing Compensation Through Legal Strategy
Anchorage law firms can correctly estimate the value of your claim, obtain necessary evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company to get you a fair settlement.
Proving Liability Beyond the Insurance Report
Attorneys can thoroughly examine the case, consult experts, and build a strong argument to prove who is at fault, which is essential when insurance companies challenge liability.
What to Do If the Insurance Offer Seems Unfair
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Alaska
If negotiations do not work, you may have to sue. It can force the insurance company to give a fair settlement or let a court decide how much compensation is required.
Holding Insurance Companies Accountable
You could take further legal action if an insurer denies or unfairly delays your claim. You can use bad faith claims in Alaska to ask for more money than what your insurance policy covers.
The time after a car accident can be challenging to manage. Working with a personal injury lawyer in Alaska can give you the necessary information and help.
Featured Image Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-paper-beside-a-person-typing-on-a-laptop-7688374/
