While the vast majority of personal injury claims are resolved through a settlement, that doesn’t mean that you should be quick to accept any offer that comes your way. It isn’t unusual for an accident victim to be unhappy with the amount offered by an insurance company. Insurance companies are in business to maximize their profits and minimize claims. If you have been injured in an accident, in many cases, a personal injury attorney can negotiate with the insurer to get a more reasonable settlement for your injuries.
How Much is Your Claim Worth?
This is a common question we hear, but not a very easy one to answer. All cases are unique, and the value of your claim will depend on the facts and circumstances involved. Generally, we help our clients pursue the maximum compensation possible for all damages resulting from their accident.
Before you can figure out if a settlement offer is fair, you need to know how much your injuries are worth. An offer may seem like a lot of money until you realize that this amount won’t even begin to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other potential losses. You may be thinking of current or recent medical bills but you may also be eligible to recover compensation to help pay for your damages, including:
- Medical costs and future medical expenses
- Lost work wages and future lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional injuries
- Loss of quality / enjoyment of life.
An insurance company could be offering you a lower settlement for a number of reasons. For instance, they could believe you are partially at-fault for the accident, which would have an effect on the settlement offer. Or, the insurance company is lowballing you and doesn’t think you will fight back to get a fair settlement. Keep in mind that, without an experienced attorney on your side, you may not even be able to estimate your true damages. Some types of damages — such as reduced earning capacity or the need for future medical treatment — require input from an expert that a personal injury attorney can arrange.
No matter what an insurance adjuster may say, you have a right to reject a settlement offer from the insurance company. Accepting an offer will require you to give you important rights, including the ability to file a lawsuit for your injuries. That is why it is so important to understand the full value of your claim and to know that you can and should reject any offer that doesn’t fairly compensate you for your losses.
Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
There is no law requiring you to have a lawyer when filing a personal injury claim after an accident. However, working with experienced personal injury attorneys can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Why risk being unfairly compensated and not having recourse to fix it? When you hire a personal injury lawyer from our team, you pay nothing upfront. We work on contingent fees that are only collected if we win your case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
Contact Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney, at Law, for a free consultation. With our proven track record of success and our commitment to client care, we can turn your setback into a comeback.