How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim

by Matthews, Joseph L.; Repa, Barbara Kate; Gima, Patricia; Repa, Barbara Kate; Gima, Patricia

• ISBN13: 9780873375290
• ISBN10: 0873375297
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-12-01
• Publisher: Nolo

Summary

Armed with the right information, anyone can handle a personal injury claim without a lawyer. Attorney Joseph Matthews provides strategies for handling every stage of the insurance claim process including how to:- protect one's rights after an accident- evaluate what a claim is worth- handle a property damage claim- avoid insurance company run-arounds- obtain a full and fair settlement- save thousands in attorney fees.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Who Can Use This Book?
What Kinds of Claims Can You Handle Yourself?	p. 2
How to Use This Book	p. 3
Handling Your Personal Injury Claim
Why You Can Handle Your Own Claim	p. 2
When You Might Need a Lawyer	p. 5
Whose Fault Is It? How Legal Responsibility Is Determined
Basic Rules of Liability	p. 2
Liability in Specific Types of Accidents	p. 8
Frequently Asked Questions About Fault	p. 26
Initial Steps in Settling Your Claim
The First 72 Hours: Protecting Your Rights	p. 2
Getting a Claim Started	p. 8
Special Rules for Accidents Involving the Government	p. 18
Frequently Asked Questions About the Steps to Settling a Claim	p. 28
Understanding Insurance Coverage
Motor Vehicle Insurance	p. 2
Non-Vehicle Liability Insurance	p. 18
Your Own Health Coverage and Accident Claims	p. 21
No-Fault Laws: State Summaries	p. 23
Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Coverage	p. 27
How Much Is Your Claim Worth?
The Damages Formula	p. 3
How Injuries Affect Compensation	p. 6
Demonstrating Pain and Suffering	p. 10
Lost Income	p. 16
Property Damage	p. 17
Arriving at a Final Compensation Figure	p. 17
Examples of How Much Diffrent Claims Are Worth	p. 21
Frequently Asked Questions About Claims and Coverage	p. 26
Processing Your Claim
Collecting Information	p. 2
Preparing a Demand Letter	p. 10
Sample Demand Letters	p. 18
Frequently Asked Questions About the Claims Process	p. 37
Property Damage Claims
What Type of Claim to File	p. 2
Amount of Compensation	p. 5
Processing Your Claim	p. 7
Negotiating a Settlement Amount	p. 10
Frequently Asked Questions About Property Damage Claims	p. 15
Negotiating A Settlement
Adjusters: Who They Are and How They Work	p. 2
How the Negotiation Process Works	p. 4
What To Do When You Can't Get a Settlement	p. 20
State Departments of Insurance	p. 28
State Statutes of Limitations	p. 34
Frequently Asked Questions About Negotiating a Settlement	p. 37
Finalizing Your Settlement
Confirming the Offer and Acceptance	p. 2
Formal Settlement Document	p. 3
What To Do If the Check Doesn't Arrive	p. 5
Liens on Your Settlement Money	p. 6
Taxes on Your Settlement Money	p. 8
Frequently Asked Questions About Finalizing a Settlement	p. 8
The Last Resorts: Lawyers, Arbitration and Courts
Small Claims Court	p. 2
Arbitration	p. 11
Hiring a Lawyer	p. 23
Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyers and Courts	p. 31
Accident Claim Worksheet
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