Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatizing experience, and handling your claim with the insurance company is just one of the inconveniences that you’ll likely face after a collision. Obtaining a car accident settlement can be a fairly quick process, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get the most out of your claim.
Before you accept an injury settlement offer from your insurer, there are some important things you need to know. Read on to learn more about what happens when you accept a car accident settlement.
After you’ve been involved in a car accident, it is important that you file a claim with your insurance company, as they’ll be responsible for covering a portion of your losses no matter who is liable for causing the accident. However, just because you are working with your own insurer, that doesn’t mean they will be looking out for your best interests.
Keep in mind that the insurance company will lose money by paying out on your injury settlement, so part of the insurance adjuster’s job is to minimize this loss by any means necessary.
Sadly, insurance adjusters have been known for employing unscrupulous tactics to accomplish this goal, including using an injury victim’s well-intended statement against them, and making the victim an insultingly low offer in the hopes that they won’t know their losses are worth more.
Before you accept any insurance settlement, you should have your lawyer take a look at it so you know whether you are being taken advantage of.
The insurance company will only be legally required to settle your claim up to the limits of your auto insurance policy, but even if your losses exceed these limits, the insurer isn’t likely to offer you the maximum amount right off the bat, even if that is what you are entitled to.
The insurer will either make you an offer fast, hoping that you will settle quickly because you desperately need the money, or they could negotiate with you and your attorney for a reasonable amount.
Even after accepting a fair injury settlement, you may still have to go to court in order to secure the financial compensation you need to cover your economic and non-economic damages.
The takeaway here is that you should never accept an offer from the insurance company without first discussing it with your attorney, and never provide the insurer with a statement that could be used against you in the claims process. Have your lawyer advocate for the injury settlement you deserve.
Before you move forward with accepting an insurance settlement offer, it may be in your best interest to have a regarded Brockton car accident lawyer at Joel H. Schwartz, PC review the conditions of your offer so you aren’t taken advantage of during your time of need. Schedule a free claim review at our office by finding us online or calling our firm by phone at 617-742-1170.
Joel H. Schwartz, P.C. has been one of the most widely recognized and respected names in personal injury law for more than 50 years. Our partners and associates bring more than 185 years of combined litigation experience to your potential claim. With our longevity and vast experience, we have successfully resolved more than 30,000 claims and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients in the Boston metro area and beyond.... View full business profile here: Joel H. Schwartz, P.C.
