AAA Auto Insurance Claims

You should not have to worry about suffering serious injuries and sustaining significant property damage in a motor vehicle crash caused by a careless or aggressive driver, but preventable accidents happen much more often than they should. When a crash does occur, one of the first things on your mind is likely, “How will I pay for my hospital bills and my car damage?” While it is extremely important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, the very next thing on your mind should be your auto insurance claim, and possibly consulting with a car accident lawyer.

If you are filing a AAA auto insurance claim in California, it is important to understand your rights and to know what you need to do in order to obtain compensation for your losses. A car accident lawyer can help.

When you are involved in an accident, it is essential to know whether you are in a fault state (also known as a tort state). While some states have “no fault” auto accident laws when it comes to insurance, California is a fault state, as the California Department of Insurance explains. This means that an injured party in a traffic crash has two options:

• File a first-party claim with his or her own insurance company; or
• File a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

Regardless of whether you file a first-party or a third-party claim, you will need to report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as possible after the crash in order to remain eligible for compensation.

Now, we want to explain the two different scenarios for filing a claim.

Imagine that you are involved in a crash and decide to file a first-party claim through your own insurance company, AAA auto insurance. This means that you will be responsible for paying the deductible up front, but AAA auto insurance may be able to recoup that deductible in the end through subrogation. However, it could be quite some time before you receive the deductible. First-party claims can often go more quickly than third-party claims, and you may receive compensation sooner than if you filed a third-party claim.

When you file a first-party claim, you will not need to deal with the other party or the other party’s insurance company. However, it is essential to remember that AAA auto insurance—even as your own auto insurer—is not on your side and will not advocate for your right to compensation.

Now imagine that you are involved in a crash and decide to file a third-party claim through the other driver’s insurance company, AAA auto insurance. You will not need to pay your deductible, which is a benefit. However, there are drawbacks to third-party claims. They can take longer, and you may not be eligible for full compensation due to insurance limits on the liable party’s AAA auto insurance policy.

It is extremely important to have a lawyer on your side throughout your AAA auto insurance claim. An experienced advocate can ensure that your rights are protected and can also help to negotiate a reasonable and fair settlement for your losses. If the insurance company will not settle, then we can discuss your options for filing a lawsuit, ensuring that you file that claim within the time period set by the statute of limitations.

Were you injured in a motor vehicle collision? An aggressive car accident attorney at our firm can assist with your AAA auto insurance claim. Contact the Walton Law Firm today to get started on your case. All consultations are absolutely free.