A 12-year-old girl was killed and nine other people were injured in a three-car crash near the intersection of Paloma Avenue and Century Boulevard.
Three other children were taken to a hospital in moderate condition. An adult driver was hospitalized in serious condition, while five other adult victims were transported in fair condition.
Investigators believe the driver was attempting an unsafe U-turn at the time of the wreck.
Pre-Filing Negotiations
After a serious crash, victims need money to put their lives back together. They need this money now, not later. So, to resolve a car accident claim, a car accident lawyer in san diego would typically try the easy way first.
Once medical treatment is at least substantially complete, an attorney begins informal negotiations with an insurance company. If talks start sooner and the case settles too soon, the settlement will not accurately reflect the need for any future medical bills. If that happens, the victim is financially responsible for these costs.
Some insurance companies fold faster than Superman on laundry day. However, most cite obscure legal loopholes and try to drag the process out as long as possible. They hope this delay prompts a frustrated victim to settle a case for pennies on the dollar. Sadly, this approach often works.
Post-Filing Negotiations
So, to jumpstart negotiations and pressure the insurance company into a settlement, a lawyer would usually file the paperwork.
This filing usually triggers a mandatory mediation requirement. Mediator-supervised negotiations are much different from unsupervised informal negotiations.
Mediators enforce a duty to negotiate in good faith. “I’ll see you in court” is not a good-faith negotiation offer. Instead, the insurance company must compromise and earnestly try to settle the case before trial. Mostly because of this additional duty, civil mediation is about 90% successful.
Reach Out to a Hard-Hitting San Diego Car Accident Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a confidential consultation with a great lawyer contact the Ozols Law Firm. We handle cases in San Diego County.