If you’ve been injured in an accident as a result of someone else’s negligent actions, you will likely incur many additional expenses. From medical bills to losing out on your wages while you heal, these all have the potential to ruin your financial situation.
Fortunately, you can make a claim with the insurance company to get the compensation you need. In many cases, injured victims are delighted when their insurance company contacts them to offer a settlement.
If you’re in this situation, you may wonder why you would need a lawyer if you’ve already been offered money. However, before you sign for this check, you should have a personal injury lawyer look it over and make sure that what you are being offered is fair.
Insurance agents are trained to focus on the company’s bottom line. While they may be polite and even seem concerned for your well-being, they will be focused on paying out the lowest amount possible. In most cases, the insurance company will take advantage of the average person’s lack of knowledge about their legal rights. They offer a quick settlement because they know you don’t know the full worth of your claim.
Work with a Lawyer to Avoid These Tactics for Low Settlements
The insurance companies train their employees to use a few strategies that result in lower settlements. One of the first ways is by being quick with the offer. They know you’re likely desperate to get that money before the funds in your bank account deplete.
Insurance agents will also fish for information and ask leading questions to trap you. They will then use this information against you, claiming that you were partially or even fully at fault.
They may also feign concern as they try to determine if you have a lawyer or if you’re representing yourself. Remember, these entities have their own litigation teams working for them. You should protect your legal rights by having an attorney look over the settlement offer.
Should I Accept the Offered Insurance Settlement?
If you have been offered a check from the insurance company, you may be tempted to sign for it. It may seem like a huge relief that you can now put the check in your bank account and forget about this whole unpleasant occurrence.
Taking that settlement without fully analyzing it can be a costly mistake. You may have serious injuries that will require ongoing treatment for the rest of your life. You may be unable to go back to your career and have to work in a lower-paying profession. You may also suffer from emotional trauma even years later. These things will not be factored into that first settlement offer.
Take this offer to an attorney and have them look over your expenses related to your injuries. If they do not think it’s fair, you will want to negotiate. Be prepared that these negotiations can get complicated and exhausting. You may want to hire an attorney to take over your case.
If you’ve been injured in an accident as a result of someone else’s negligent actions, you will likely incur many additional expenses. From medical bills to losing out on your wages while you heal, these all have the potential to ruin your financial situation.
Fortunately, you can make a claim with the insurance company to get the compensation you need. In many cases, injured victims are delighted when their insurance company contacts them to offer a settlement.
If you’re in this situation, you may wonder why you would need a lawyer if you’ve already been offered money. However, before you sign for this check, you should have a personal injury lawyer look it over and make sure that what you are being offered is fair.
Insurance agents are trained to focus on the company’s bottom line. While they may be polite and even seem concerned for your well-being, they will be focused on paying out the lowest amount possible. In most cases, the insurance company will take advantage of the average person’s lack of knowledge about their legal rights. They offer a quick settlement because they know you don’t know the full worth of your claim.
Work with a Lawyer to Avoid These Tactics for Low Settlements
The insurance companies train their employees to use a few strategies that result in lower settlements. One of the first ways is by being quick with the offer. They know you’re likely desperate to get that money before the funds in your bank account deplete.
Insurance agents will also fish for information and ask leading questions to trap you. They will then use this information against you, claiming that you were partially or even fully at fault.
They may also feign concern as they try to determine if you have a lawyer or if you’re representing yourself. Remember, these entities have their own litigation teams working for them. You should protect your legal rights by having an attorney look over the settlement offer.
Should I Accept the Offered Insurance Settlement?
If you have been offered a check from the insurance company, you may be tempted to sign for it. It may seem like a huge relief that you can now put the check in your bank account and forget about this whole unpleasant occurrence.
Taking that settlement without fully analyzing it can be a costly mistake. You may have serious injuries that will require ongoing treatment for the rest of your life. You may be unable to go back to your career and have to work in a lower-paying profession. You may also suffer from emotional trauma even years later. These things will not be factored into that first settlement offer.
Take this offer to an attorney and have them look over your expenses related to your injuries. If they do not think it’s fair, you will want to negotiate. Be prepared that these negotiations can get complicated and exhausting. You may want to hire an attorney to take over your case.
In some situations, you may have to endure several rounds of negotiations before the settlement offer is sufficient. However, having an attorney on your side ensures you’ve got someone with intricate legal knowledge advocating on your behalf. They will also be ready to move forward with a lawsuit if an agreement can’t be reached to fight for your maximum compensation. Ultimately, an attorney protects your best interests and works to secure what’s fair in your circumstances. In some situations, you may have to endure several rounds of negotiations before the settlement offer is sufficient. However, having an attorney on your side ensures you’ve got someone with intricate legal knowledge advocating on your behalf. They will also be ready to move forward with a lawsuit if an agreement can’t be reached to fight for your maximum compensation. Ultimately, an attorney protects your best interests and works to secure what’s fair in your circumstances.
