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ChatRhode Island recently enacted important laws to help drivers after car accidents address their rental and car repair/total loss needs. Today, I am featuring the changes made to the “motor vehicle appraisal process.” This is my second of four blogs on this notable car accident legal news!
So, what is the “motor vehicle appraisal process” after all? After you’ve been in a car accident and your car is damaged, if you or the at-fault driver have property collision coverage, than you have a right to obtain an appraisal (estimate) to get your car fixed, or if applicable, be paid for the fair market value of your car (“total loss”).
Car insurance companies want to pay as little as possible after your car accident. Laws like R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-10.4-1 that improve the motor vehicle appraisal process help us fight for your rights. Feel free to contact us anytime, 24/7, about your injury case.
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we fight tooth and nail to get our car accident clients the compensation they deserve. Part of getting you that payout is appraising your vehicle after your car accident. As you can imagine, insurance companies – even “your” insurance company – want to pay out as little as possible to protect their bottom line. We know this, and that is why we use our years of experience negotiating with insurance adjustors to ensure that your vehicles’ damages are covered. If you suffer personal injuries after a car accident, we offer free case reviews 24/7 via text or call at (401) 777-7777.
After A Rhode Island Car Accident, How Can I Get My Car Quickly Appraised For Repair Or Total Loss Payments? 2023 Motor Vehicle Appraisal Provision (R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-10.4-1).
Luckily, we’re not the only ones who know that it’s hard to get insurance companies to work in victims’ interests. Recently, Rhode Island legislators passed an entirely new section of law that requires insurance companies to work quickly and fairly with your attorney to properly appraise your vehicle. While this provision won’t magically cause insurance companies to look out for your best interest, it gets us closer to getting you what you need, quickly.
What Is The New Car Accident Appraisal Process In Rhode Island Law?
The new Rhode Island law kicks in when either party – you or the insurance company – disagree on the amount of loss/damage your vehicle sustained. When this happens, the insurance company and your attorney will each select their own, independent appraisers, and the insurer’s appraiser must inspect your vehicle within three (3) business days. If they fail to do so, the insurer forfeits its right to inspect your damaged vehicle prior to repairs, and can only negotiate with your attorney about labor and the price of parts, as opposed to damage presence, severity, etc.
How Does The New Car Accident Law Help You After An Accident?
Our team stays up-to-date on Rhode Island and Massachusetts injury law so you don’t have to. We work tirelessly to strengthen our craft to get you the justice you deserve. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact us immediately to discuss your case, free of charge.
This law gives Bottaro Injury Lawyers recourse to fight insurance company’s low appraisal values quickly. It will motivate insurance companies to work faster with the clock ticking against them.
If the two independent appraisers cannot agree on a mutual value, the insurance company and your attorney will work together to hire an impartial Rhode Island licensed appraiser as an umpire appraiser within three (3) business days. If the insurance company and your attorney cannot agree on one, the party filing for the process in the first place gets to decide who the umpire appraiser is. Then, the original appraisers submit their differences to the umpire appraiser for a final determination.
This law provides an increased ability to challenge the insurance company’s selected appraiser. In other words, if our appraiser cannot agree with theirs, then the onus is truly on the insurance company to agree with us on a mutual empire, otherwise we get to choose it (if we are the ones to file the initial demand).
State insurance law is often changing, and applying it to real-life circumstances gets tricky and burdensome. Take the guesswork and headache out of handling your claim and leave it to us. Call us anytime, 24/7 for a free case review!
It’s Good to Know Mike Bottaro – 24/7 Top-Rated Personal Injury Help
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we care for people. Attorney Mike Bottaro and his award-winning legal team handle all types of personal injury cases, including motor vehicle accidents, throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We can even help on cases in other states as well. We pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity, and results. Contact us 24/7 in any method you prefer for a fast, free, and confidential consultation about your case. Feel free to text or call us at 401-777-7777 or fill out our free and confidential online form. We are here to serve and help you!
