Drive anywhere around California and it’s really no big shock to pass an accident scene, whether it be a minor fender bender or a more serious collision. Sadly, these sights are almost commonplace nowadays. If you are unfortunate enough to be the victim in a crash, there’s something else that’s become commonplace. The long-drawn-out battle that follows after you contact the other driver’s insurance provider.
If you’ve been seriously injured in a collision and are forced to count on an insurance company like Wawanesa for help, it may be a long wait. Large insurance companies have gotten to be experts at making sure victims receive much less than they should in recovery.
To find out exactly what you should expect and demand from an insurance provider after an accident, talk to a personal injury lawyer like Martin Gasparian. Mr. Gasparian offers a free case evaluation to victims and their families to make sure they fully understand their rights. Contact Maison Law before you end up on the phone with an insurance representative who may not have your best interests at heart.
Wawanesa Insurance Tactics After California Accidents
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company started in Canada and then set up a U.S. headquarters in California to serve the coverage needs of the Golden State. Wawanesa receives high grades for customer service from J.D. Power researchers.
Unfortunately, that award won’t help if you are injured by a policyholder. You aren’t a customer. You’re a victim trying to earn what’s fair to help you recover from a collision. Wawanesa adjusters will go to work immediately. Not on sending you compensation but looking for every way to poke holes in your insurance claim so they don’t have to pay.
They can also delay opening your claim, simply to make sure you’re very desperate when they do make contact. They want you worried over medical bills and lost wages at work when they make you a “lowball offer.” They hope you’re so frustrated that you’ll accept any amount they throw at you, leaving you to pay for perhaps half of your damages out of your own pocket.
How Much is My Injury Worth with Wawanesa?
The other thing Wasanesa will be counting on is that you won’t know how much your injury recovery will actually cost. They also hope you won’t have an experienced car accident lawyer to fill you in on how much your injury is worth.
It’s hard to put a number on how much you should be getting in support until medical exams are done and doctors’ recommendations are in. What is easy is for your attorney to spot is when a settlement offer is well below what it should be.
There are some factors that can greatly increase the amount of compensation you should expect. For instance, a physical disability or permanent disfigurement resulting from a crash will require much more in support. You’d likely need medical treatment and specialized equipment for a lifetime. You could also need corrective surgeries and care years down the road.
The more an injury affects life for you and your family the more a car insurance provider should be offering in support. The emotional trauma victims must endure in an accident and afterward in recovery can always factor into a settlement.
These circumstances and others should all affect the level of support insurance companies must offer. The amounts can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars simply because of the range of devastating injuries that are seen in traffic collisions:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Head injuries can claim long and short-term memories from victims. Seizures and numbness in body parts can be symptoms. Brain injuries can result in disabilities that require a career change.
- Fracture bones: Bones can suffer compound fractures and require multiple re-settings during surgery to correct. Arms, legs, wrists, and ankles can all break in the impact of a car accident. Vertebrae in the spine can also fracture and leave patients in pain every time they straighten.
- Whiplash: The snapping back and forth of the head in a collision can leave victims with severe neck pain. Nerve damage and difficulty turning the head can be permanent symptoms.
- Soft tissue injuries: Organs get jolted and can even stop working under the forces released in a collision. The tissue that supports and holds muscles and organs in place can tear leading to life-threatening instability.
- Airbag and seatbelt injuries: These safety devices are designed to protect victims in a crash, but in severe impacts, they can become hazards. Airbags can explode and send debris into the vehicle. They can also result in lacerations. Seatbelts can contribute to whiplash and cause external and internal bruising.
Contact a California Car Accident Attorney When Confronting Wawanesa
Attorney Martin Gasparian with Maison Law protects car accident victims across California from the less than helpful insurance representatives at Wawanesa. They’d be happy for you to sign off on an amount far less than the compensation you’ll need in recovery. Once you sign a settlement offer you can’t return to them for more help when your injury suddenly relapses.
Don’t get stuck with thousands of dollars in medical expenses for an accident that wasn’t your fault. Contact Mr. Gasparian for a free consultation on your case and find out how to avoid getting taken advantage of while you’re physically and financially vulnerable.
