The Law Office of Nikolaus W. Reed can help you when you’ve been injured in a car accident in San Pablo. When you reach the end of your claim and get a settlement, it should be a relief. However, if you have to pay child support or other financial obligations, you might be worried about garnishment. Our team can answer your questions and what you can–and can’t–keep. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Can My Car Accident Settlement Be Garnished?
When you have things like child or spousal support payments, you’re pretty familiar with your wages being garnished. We’re not here to judge, but we are here to make sure you get the most out of your car accident settlement. In general, your settlement won’t be garnished unless:
- There’s a court order in place
- You owe back taxes or payments
- You have a written agreement in place
Obviously, getting a settlement after a car accident is going to give you a financial boost. But if you have other financial obligations that you haven’t kept up with, part of this settlement could very well be garnished. You don’t want that to happen, but it’s even more important to understand the process–and what you can do to protect your settlement.
How Can You Protect Your Car Accident Settlement?
Even though your settlement is usually safe from garnishment, the claims process still plays a huge role in how much you walk away with—and how quickly. Here are a few steps you can take to protect your claim and your settlement:
- Keep everything organized – Document your medical care, bills, missed work, and conversations with the insurance company. These details help support your claim’s value.
- Be patient – The insurance company is probably going to try to offer less than your claim is worth. Take time to understand the full extent of your injuries and losses before agreeing to a settlement.
- Stay quiet on social media – Posting about your accident or recovery might give the insurance company ammo to downplay your claim. It’s best to keep your situation private.
- Stick to your treatment plan – Follow your doctor’s orders and go to every appointment. This shows that you’re taking your injuries seriously and helps strengthen your claim.
- Track all your costs – From ER visits to towing fees, every expense related to the accident should be documented. These costs form the foundation of your settlement.
- Don’t rush your recovery – Settling before you fully understand your condition could mean leaving out future medical needs. When possible, wait until you’ve healed.
- Read everything carefully – Before signing a release form or settlement agreement, review it with our legal team. You want to be sure you’re not giving up more than you realize.
Remember–being open with us is key. The more we know about your situation, the better we can protect your settlement and your financial future.
What’s the Claims Process Like After a Car Accident in San Pablo?
Every car accident is different, but once we help you establish that someone else was at fault, you typically have two ways to get a settlement:
- Filing an insurance claim – The starting point is usually an insurance claim with the responsible party’s provider. This route is usually faster, but the insurance company has the full say in what your case is worth–often less than it should be.
- Filing a lawsuit – If the insurance company won’t make a fair offer, we can file a personal injury lawsuit. This takes more time but can result in a more accurate and complete recovery.
In either case, we help you go after damages like:
- Medical treatment and future care
- Lost income or reduced earning ability
- Car repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death expenses for surviving family in fatal accidents
Again, these things will make up the bulk of your settlement. That said, to get the most damages possible, you’re going to have to show strong evidence. Our experienced team can help you with this, and can also help you keep your claim strong in the face of tactics used by the insurance company.
Talk to NWR Law About Your Car Accident Settlement
If you were hurt in a car accident in San Pablo and have questions about your settlement–or want to make sure it’s protected–our team at NWR Law is ready to help by:
- Acting fast to protect your right to file before the two-year deadline.
- Handling all the paperwork, so you don’t have to worry about forms or filings.
- Investigating your accident by collecting evidence like reports, records, and witness info.
- Figuring out what your case is really worth, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Dealing directly with the insurance company, and taking them to court if they won’t offer a fair settlement.
With NWR Law on your side, you get a team that listens, responds quickly, and puts your recovery first. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in San Pablo, don’t wait. Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s talk about how to move forward.