If you have a dispute while seeking compensation from AAA, allowing a lawyer to resolve your claim may lead to your desired outcome. Car accident attorneys have extensive experience securing fair compensation from insurance companies, including AAA. Do not underestimate an insurer’s determination to fight your claim; rely on a lawyer who has been here before.
You deserve fair compensation for your accident-related losses, not a penny less. However, you may not receive that compensation without a fight. Allow a Chicago car accident lawyer to lead that fight for you.
Incidents That May Lead to a AAA Dispute
Though AAA offers several types of insurance coverage, its auto insurance sector is what the company is most known for. You may be seeking compensation from AAA after:
- A truck accident
- A car accident
- A pedestrian accident
- A rideshare accident
- An accident involving a motorcycle
Whatever your reason for seeking compensation, know that AAA may not simply hand over the money you are entitled to. The insurer may deny or undervalue your claim, if it has not already.
You should never accept any attempt to deprive you of the compensation you deserve. A Chicago car accident lawyer will fight to ensure you receive a fair settlement.
Facts About AAA That May Be Relevant to Your Insurance Dispute
AAA stands for the American Automobile Association, and this company provides many valuable services to motorists. Auto insurance is among these offerings, as AAA extends coverages comparable to those issued by GEICO, State Farm, and other auto insurance providers.
Some facts about AAA that may be relevant to your claims process include:
- AAA is over 120 years old: Founded in 1902, AAA has proven to be an enduring fixture in the landscape of auto insurance (and other services). Companies do not last as long as AAA without being financially savvy. This is to say, expect AAA’s representatives to put the company’s financial interests above yours.
- AAA has more than 60 million members: AAA is a massive company that serves 60 million members in various ways, including servicing insurance policies. Companies this size have significant resources and may use them to fight your claim.
- AAA has financial obligations to meet: AAA is a for-profit company. This means it has financial obligations, which may come at your expense. Minimizing claim payouts is one way that AAA tries to ensure its profitability.
You might think that a company of AAA’s size and longevity will be willing and able to pay claims like yours fairly. However, every company has a duty to its stakeholders, which generally means maximizing revenues and reducing losses.
AAA knows that your claim represents a loss, and its employees will want to minimize that loss to the greatest degree possible. Your car accident attorney will have a different goal: to secure all the compensation you are entitled to.
Types of Disputes That Can Arise When Dealing with AAA
Most people are not involved in many auto accidents. For this reason, the average American might assume that insurance companies always pay the compensation they should—but, unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
Even if insurers eventually pay the accident victim fairly, they may do so after:
Denying a Claim
Many accident victims are shocked that the insurance company has denied their claim. This may be a money-saving measure by the insurer, but adjusters may state they denied your claim because you are at fault for the accident, even if you were not. The insurer may cite other unjustified reasons for rejecting your request for compensation.
Your attorney will address the reason for the denial as they make your case for a fair settlement.
Disputing the Claimant’s Injuries
A AAA dispute may arise over:
- The nature of your injuries
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether your injury existed before the accident
- The necessity of certain medical services or items
- The financial cost of your injury-related losses
Your lawyer will obtain extensive medical documentation to combat any attempts to underplay your injuries or medical needs.
Trying to Mislead or Confuse the Claimant
An insurance company may benefit when claimants are in the dark. Therefore, AAA’s representatives may:
- Hope you accept a denial without researching the details of the insurance policies
- Make a statement that suggests you are at fault for the accident (this can release AAA from some or all of its financial obligations)
- Try to convince you that its initial offer is the best offer you will receive
- Confuse or mislead you in other ways that play to AAA’s advantage
Your lawyer’s first duty is to protect you from such tactics. Your lawyer will deal with AAA so you are not vulnerable to rights violations or other bad-faith strategies.
Disputing the Value of the Claimant’s Losses
AAA may claim that you are seeking more compensation than you deserve. These claims may come from allegations that:
- Your injuries are not as serious as you claim
- Certain medical care you have received was elective
- You are not doing everything in your power to recover
- Your vehicle was damaged before the accident happened
- You are exaggerating the nature or cost of your losses
Your lawyer’s collection of detailed documentation should stop such allegations in their tracks.
Offering a Lowball Settlement
Insurance companies are notorious for issuing an initial offer worth less than the client deserves. AAA knows that if you formally accept such an offer, you likely cannot pursue any more compensation from the insurer.
Your car accident attorney will review all settlement offers to ensure you only accept a fair offer.
Delaying the Claims Process
AAA may offer you a lowball settlement and then delay, hoping you will cave and accept the offer. Your attorney will swiftly deny the offer and insist that negotiations take place.
Most auto accident claims ultimately settle. However, challenges sometimes prevent accident victims from securing fair compensation. Having a lawyer will ensure such bad-faith tactics do not threaten you.
Whether or Not You Have a Dispute, Hiring a Car Accident Attorney Can Benefit You
You should not wait for a problem to arise before you hire a lawyer. An attorney will ensure the claims process goes smoothly, and you don’t have to deal with the headaches.
Those seeking compensation from AAA may hire a Chicago car accident lawyer because:
- Lawyers come with experience: Attorneys know the steps required to successfully complete auto accident claims. They also understand the bad-faith tactics and other challenges that can stand in the way of a fair settlement. Your lawyer’s experience overcoming these challenges is worth considering.
- AAA warrants your respect: Do not underestimate AAA. If the insurer is determined to pay less than you deserve, it may use several tactics to achieve that goal. Your lawyer will ensure no bad-faith tactics cause you to receive less money than you deserve.
- Your recovery can’t come second: You may have both physical, psychological, and emotional injuries that need to heal. In addition to your long-term health, you must focus on recovery for the sake of your claim (this will prevent claims that you are prolonging the treatment process).
- Lawyers know experts: Attorneys often work with experts who strengthen AAA insurance claims (and other cases). This can include doctors, mental health professionals, automotive technicians, and experts in crash liability. Your lawyer will charge nothing extra if they hire experts to support your claim.
You owe yourself peace of mind after the trauma of a traffic accident. A lawyer can provide this by handling every step of your AAA claim in Chicago.
How a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Will Seek the Settlement You Deserve
While your lawyer will manage every aspect of your case, you should know what they are doing. This will empower you to make the right decision about your case when the time comes.
Your lawyer’s responsibilities will include:
Resolving Any Outstanding Disputes with AAA
If there are any outstanding disputes with AAA (like the denial of your claim), your lawyer may address this first.
Proving Who Caused Your Accident in Chicago
Insurance-related disputes can arise from disagreements about who is at fault for the accident. Your lawyer will prove fault using:
- Eyewitness testimony detailing the collision
- Video footage of the accident
- An expert’s reconstruction of the accident
- The responding officer’s report
- Photographs of vehicle damage
- All other relevant evidence
Establishing fault for the accident takes you one step closer to the settlement you deserve.
Documenting Each of Your Covered Losses
Your attorney will prove to AAA the harm you’ve suffered because of the accident, and may do so with:
- Any X-rays, MRIs, or other medical images of your injuries
- Your doctors’ diagnoses of your accident-related injuries
- Your doctors’ documentation of your symptoms
- All accident-related medical bills
- Invoices for the repair or replacement of your vehicle (and temporary transportation)
- A mental health provider’s diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other forms of pain and suffering
Your lawyer will not hesitate to hire any economist, mechanic, mental health professional, or other expert who can credibly testify about your losses.
Calculating an Exact Case Value
You may not realize it yet, but your case has a precise value. This value will reflect the specific injuries you’ve suffered, the severity of those injuries, and the economic and non-economic harm stemming from those injuries.
You should allow a lawyer who understands accident-specific calculation methods (particularly for pain and suffering) to determine how much compensation you deserve.
Negotiating with AAA
Once your legal team knows the cost of your accident-related losses, they will negotiate with AAA’s representatives. Those representatives may have a different valuation for your losses.
Your lawyer will present all relevant evidence, documentation, and information as they work to convince AAA to pay you fairly.
Filing a Lawsuit and Going to Trial, if Necessary
When insurance providers like AAA don’t offer fair compensation to injury victims, car accident attorneys reserve the right to sue. If your settlement negotiations break down, your lawyer may discuss filing a lawsuit with you.
As the injured party, you always have the right to accept a settlement or insist that your lawyer go to trial. Your lawyer will provide trusted advice to help you make the right decision.
Recoverable Damages for Which You May Demand Compensation from AAA
Driving (and riding in) automobiles is one of the most dangerous activities we regularly engage in. That’s why auto accidents commonly result in serious injuries or even more tragic outcomes.
You may be entitled to a large settlement for your accident-related losses, which may include:
- Healthcare costs: All accident-related medical bills will be part of your AAA claim. This includes the cost of diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating your injuries.
- Work losses: If you lose income, earning power, or any other professional benefits due to your accident-related injuries, your attorney will include those professional damages in their settlement demands.
- Pain and suffering: Accident victims can seek compensation for PTSD, depression, anxiety, lost quality of life, scarring and disfigurement, and several other types of pain and suffering. Your attorney can arrange for you to see a mental health professional capable of diagnosing such conditions.
- Vehicle repairs: If you need to replace a totaled vehicle, your lawyer will determine the replacement value of the vehicle. You should also receive compensation for any transportation you need while without your vehicle.
Every client has a different damage profile when they hire a lawyer. It will be your lawyer’s duty to identify and document your damages and then to secure the compensation you deserve for those damages (also known as losses in insurance language).
Can I Afford a Lawyer to Lead My AAA Claim?
You can afford a Chicago personal injury lawyer, as your attorney will only receive their fee if they secure compensation for you. This means you can hire your lawyer today at no out-of-pocket cost and know they’re working hard to secure money for you (their fee depends on it).
Allowing an experienced lawyer to begin the claims process prevents complications from the start. Protect yourself and your future by scheduling your free consultation now.
Gary Annes
Partner
Personal Injury Lawyer With Over Twenty Years Of Experience
Gary Annes, a partner at Abels & Annes, P.C., has dedicated over two decades to practicing personal injury law, specializing in auto accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and sexual abuse. Since earning his law degree in 1995, Gary has led numerous jury trials, and adeptly resolved cases through arbitration and mediation, securing millions in compensation for his clients.
Author's Bio
