Were you in an accident in Texas with someone who has a State Farm auto insurance policy? If so, you may be wondering, What is the average Texas State Farm settlement amount?
The answer to that question is that there is no average State Farm auto accident settlement amount. However, there are ways you might be able to maximize your payout.
What Factors Affect a State Farm Auto Accident Settlement Amount?
State Farm car accident settlements are highly dependent upon the factors of each situation. Here are some factors that affect the value of your Texas State Farm settlement:
- The severity of your injuries and property damage;
- The amount of your medical bills and lost wages, including future treatments and projected wage losses;
- Whether you were partially at fault for the accident; and
- The amount of the defendant’s insurance policy.
Other factors which affect your settlement amount are the strength of your evidence and whether you hired an attorney.
How Can I Maximize My State Farm Car Accident Settlement?
Insurance companies like State Farm are businesses whose primary interest is to make as much money as possible. They will investigate your claim and find its flaws to attempt to pay out as little as possible on car accident settlements. These companies have teams of attorneys working for them to do exactly that.
State Farm is the largest auto insurance company in the United States and has plenty of experience fighting auto insurance claims. However, there are some things you can do to ensure that you get the best possible settlement amount.
Gather and Preserve as Much Evidence as Possible
In personal injury litigation, you must prove that the other driver’s negligence caused your injuries. Gathering evidence begins at the accident scene with photos of the accident, witness statements and contact information, and the police report.
You must also keep records of your medical treatments and bills, documentation of any wage losses, and receipts for any repairs for property damage.
Get Medical Treatment Soon After the Accident
If you were involved in a car accident, you need to get checked by a doctor. This is important even if you do not think you were injured.
There are many very serious injuries where symptoms may not show up for days or weeks, such as spinal injuries or traumatic brain injuries.
It is very important to follow all your doctor’s advice and attend all medical appointments. If you end up pursuing a claim for compensation, this helps create your medical record and support your injury claim.
Be Careful About What You Post on Social Media
What you post on social media becomes part of your internet presence and can be very difficult to erase.
The insurance company and their attorneys could use your social media posts and photos to prove that you are not as injured as you are claiming and weaken your case.
Be Patient and Do Not Accept a Quick Settlement Offer
The first State Farm auto accident settlement offer will most likely be far less than the true value of your case. State Farm is hoping you will accept less for the convenience of a quick payment. You should not agree to any settlement offer until you consult with an attorney.
Hire a Car Accident Attorney to Handle Your Claim
An experienced auto accident trial attorney has the experience that you don’t have dealing with insurance companies and the legal process. It is essential that you do not wait to hire an attorney.
The insurance company will begin negotiating a settlement right away, and you have only two years in Texas to file your claim. Your attorney will investigate your claim and put together an appropriate valuation.
The most important thing your attorney will do for you is to help you avoid mistakes that weaken your case.
Why Should I Hire an Auto Accident Attorney?
If you’ve been in a minor car accident and have a simple property damage claim, you likely do not need an attorney. You can follow State Farm’s property damage claim process to document your accident and file your claim.
However, you should get a second opinion on the amount of the repairs or the value of your vehicle from a mechanic that you trust.
Larger accidents or accidents involving bodily injuries are much more complicated than simple property damage claims. You should speak to a car accident attorney rather than attempting to handle the process yourself. State Farm and other insurance companies are businesses first.
They are going to try to pay out as little as possible on your claim. They also have the resources available to fight your case. All auto insurance companies will low-ball their first settlement offer.
Generally, injured accident victims begin to see fair compensation numbers only through extended negotiations and the threat of litigation.
As the discovery process progresses, depositions and document production will expose the weaknesses in State Farm’s legal case and encourage better settlement offers.
The majority of personal injury matters settle outside of the court because litigation is time-consuming and expensive and is not always the best option.
However, in some cases, a full personal injury trial is the only way to achieve the best financial outcome. Your auto accident attorney will be able to give you a better idea of where your case falls after speaking to you about your situation.
Contact The Francis Firm
If you or your loved one was injured in an auto accident, The Francis Firm can protect your rights and interests against the insurance company.
Michael Francis is a board-certified personal injury trial attorney. He and his firm are the experienced and aggressive Texas counsel you need to get the maximum possible compensation for your injuries.
The Francis Firm specializes in personal injury cases, especially those involving trucking and auto accidents, and has recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Contact The Francis Firm today to schedule your consultation.