As we’ve discussed many times on the blog in the past, Minnesota has been a no fault state when it comes to car accidents since 1975. That doesn’t mean that fault never matters in a car accident case, but you’ll typically file a claim with your own automobile insurance provider before you attempt to collect from the other driver’s insurance company, even if they were at fault for your injuries.
Your insurance provider should cover up to $20,000 in medical expenses and up to $20,000 in lost income, but it’s not uncommon for an insurance company to deny or lowball you during the claims process. There are a few different steps you can take when you run into this situation, and one of them involves filing for what’s known as No Fault Arbitration. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at no fault arbitration and share some tips for winning your no fault case.
What Is No Fault Arbitration?
No fault arbitration is a process similar to a legal hearing, except it is performed outside of the courtroom with the help of a neutral third party. This neutral third party – the arbitrator – will hear your case and the case of the insurance company before rendering a decision. Although there are some longshot appeal opportunities, the arbitration ruling essentially acts as a binding decision, meaning that it is expected that both sides follow through with the decision of the arbitrator.
Because you’re appealing to a single neutral party and there isn’t much opportunity to appeal the decision, it’s imperative that you nail it when it comes to proving your case. But what’s the best way to prepare for no fault arbitration? Here’s what we recommend:
Hire A Lawyer – The insurance company will certainly be showing up to the arbitration hearing with lawyers on their side, and it’s crucial that you do the same. Even if you feel that you have a pretty open and shut case, you need to be able to prove it, and most people don’t have a lot of experience building a strong arbitration case. We do. We have helped countless clients through the process and know how to build a case that not only showcases the strength of your argument but can discredit the arguments the opposition will likely make. Don’t go into this meeting without a lawyer in your corner.
Prep – Another incredibly helpful aspect about hiring a lawyer is that they will take time to ensure you are prepared for the arbitration hearing. They’ll ask you questions that you can expect to hear from both sides so that you can get your story straight and be prepared for the types of questions that might come your way. You may not know what to expect when the other side has an opportunity to question you, but your lawyer does, and they’ll make sure that you don’t come into this meeting unprepared.
Connecting The Dots – A lawyer will also be able to make a strong case for compensation based on all the important evidence from your case. They’ll explain how police reports, independent medical exams, photographs of the scene or witness statements all help to prove your case. Collecting this evidence, understanding its importance and how to present these facts to the arbitrator can be difficult, but your lawyer knows how to connect all these dots.
Arbitration can be a faster and cheaper alternative to dragging your case to court if you and the insurance company cannot agree on a settlement, which is why it can be a preferred option for clients looking for a faster resolution to your case. However, you shouldn’t hurry into the process, because the decision is likely final even though the decision wasn’t handed down by a judge. Let a skilled personal injury lawyer build a strong case to present during your arbitration hearing so that you can get the compensation you deserve.
For more information about the arbitration process, or for help with a different injury claim issue, reach out to the team at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
