Legal Question in Insurance Law in Pennsylvania

Re: Auto accident negotiation

You asked about an insurance settlement.

There are no rules about insurance settlements. A person pays insurance so that they are made whole after an accident. They are paid by the liability of another vehicle's policy if they are not at fault generally to the extent they are not at fault. If they are at fault then that person's own collision coverage kick's in. It depends on what coverages the driver held and what the particulars of the accident are. Unfortunately the driver has probably already screwed up their claim by speaking to the insurer without an attorney.

Only a court of law can irrefutably assign fault. An insurance company's opinion is worth squat. Rather than accept any fault a driver should assert that they are due the full value of the vehicle plus any other injuries, including loss of wages, alternative transportation and physical injuries. The vehicle should be compensated at the high retail value of the vehicle rather than the lowest blue book value.

When involved in an accident, make certain all people are safe, get the vehicles to a safe location and then contact an attorney before saying one word to anyone (including police, bystanders, the other drivers or passengers or insurance personnel), especially insurance personnel.

Regards,

Roger