Car Accidents With AAA Insurance: Next Steps

Experiencing injuries in a major car accident is nothing short of a tremendous setback – physically, emotionally, and financially. Some accidents can even cause open-ended hardship, permanently altering the victim’s routine. If your injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to significant damages. 

If you have to deal with a car accident with AAA Insurance when filing your claim, you can rest assured our experienced personal injury lawyers at Trust Guss have decades of expertise and know exactly how to navigate the complex legal landscape that may arise. 

All insurance companies are for-profit businesses, meaning that they have a bottom line to maintain. Insurance companies make a profit by increasing subscription sales and decreasing payouts. This means that it is in their best interest to deny your claim or present you with an egregiously low offer. Some claims adjusters may even use underhanded tactics to pressure you into accepting blame for your own accident. By choosing to work with a seasoned accident attorney, you can ensure your rights are protected, and you maintain your opportunity to recover the maximum in compensation to which you are entitled.

Understanding the American Automobile Association (AAA)

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has nearly 60 million members in North America. While the group is known for a variety of services, including its roadside assistance program, many clubs operate auto insurance agencies that let customers purchase insurance through companies like Auto Club Enterprises Insurance Group. You may mentally associate AAA with its roadside customer service, which tends to be quick, efficient, and friendly. However, when it comes to an auto accident claim, the dynamics at play are exactly the same as they would be with any other insurance company, like Geico, Progressive, or Allstate.

AAA is a for-profit business. They exist to make money and, therefore, must increase income while decreasing expenditures. Paying out a claim is a form of expenditure for AAA, so it is in their best interests to do everything possible to block you from recovering the funds you rightfully deserve and need to rebuild your life after devastating injuries and other losses. AAA professionals negotiate insurance claims every single day and are masters at what they do. You, on the other hand, are at a built-in disadvantage when it comes to negotiating just because it's something you might only do once or twice in your lifetime. 

By working with an experienced personal injury lawyer, you are essentially evening out the playing field and allowing for a fair negotiation process to take place. At Trust Guss, we will relentlessly fight for your best interests – not the best interests of the insurance company. If we are unable to get you the settlement you deserve, our trained trial lawyers have no problem taking your case to court to ensure justice is served. 

Types of Disputes That May Arise When Dealing With AAA Insurance Claims

While you would expect a massive company like AAA to always do right by claimants in order to uphold its positive reputation, that is not always the case. Larger insurance companies have shareholders relying on them to increase profits, and one way to do that is to dispute or deny claims. Here are some of the tactics that AAA may use:

• Denying a claim – Claims adjusters will often try to pin the blame for the accident on you, as this gives them the right to deny your claim. They may twist your words or cite unjustified reasons for denying you compensation. A good personal injury lawyer will address their reasons for denial when handling your case and make sure you can claim the appropriate damages to which you are entitled.
• Disputing a claim – In order to fight back against withholding insurers, your personal injury attorney will obtain extensive medical documentation, witness accounts, and testimony from relevant experts. AAA claims adjusters may dispute your claim over the following:
  • The nature of your injuries
  • The severity of your injuries
  • Whether you had preexisting conditions
  • The necessity of certain treatments, medical services, or medications
  • The financial costs of your losses
• Confusing or misleading a claimant – The less you know about how AAA claims work, the more the claims adjusters will seek to take advantage of your ignorance. The adjuster may:
  • Hope that you blindly accept the claim denial without doing research on the insurance policy
  • Pressure you into accepting fault for your accident
  • Convince you that the first offer they give is the best you can do
  • Your lawyer will protect you from these underhanded tactics, handling communication with AAA so you are not so vulnerable to their bad-faith antics.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You Obtain the Settlement You Deserve

Your lawyer will stand in your corner and handle all aspects of your case, including negotiation with AAA Insurance. They will do the following:

• Resolve outstanding disputes with AAA, such as claim denials
• Prove who was liable for your injuries utilizing witness reports, police reports, video footage, testimony from accident reconstruction experts, and more
• Document your losses using X-rays, MRIs, doctor’s reports, medical bills, vehicle repair invoices, diagnoses from mental health providers, and more
• Calculate the monetary value of your damages
• Negotiate with AAA to achieve a fair settlement
• File a lawsuit if necessary

Recoverable Damages from AAA

If you sustained serious injuries and another party was to blame, you are entitled to certain damages, both economic and non-economic. These may include the following:

• Current and future healthcare costs
• Property damages
• Lost wages and loss of future career opportunities
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death

Can I Afford a Personal Injury Lawyer to Lead My Claim With AAA?

At Trust Guss, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not pay any legal fees upfront. Instead, we take a percentage of your award once we win your case. Our consultations are also performed at no cost to you, and there is no obligation to hire us once your case evaluation is complete. In other words, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by working with our esteemed attorneys. We have been advocating for client rights for over 30 years and are dedicated to making sure you and your family are well cared for after an unexpected and devastating accident. 

How Long Does It Take to Settle an AAA Insurance Claim?

Every case is different, so this is a difficult question to answer. The time it takes to settle your AAA claim can depend on the complexity of your case, the extent of your injuries, and the willingness of the claims adjuster to negotiate in good faith. It can take anywhere from a few months to a few years.

Contact Trust Guss Today to Take the Next Steps with AAA Insurance Claims

At Trust Guss, we have over 1400 five-star reviews, a testament to our “Clients First” approach and dedication to excellence. No matter the time of day or night, you will always reach a live agent when contacting us. We are passionate about protecting you from unethical insurance claims adjusters who might pressure you to accept fault for your accident or accept an offer that is not appropriate. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost case evaluation and allow us to alleviate the pressure, confusion, and anxiety that can arise when having to deal with AAA Insurance. By partnering with our firm, you can refocus your energies on self-care while knowing you are obtaining the best chance at maximizing your compensation.