Agree To An Accident Settlement? Not So Fast
After a car accident, you may be offered a settlement. Settlements are the fast and easy way to be paid what you are owed after an accident. However, that is only if you know how much you deserve. You might be pressured by the other side to settle your personal injury case. Read on to find out why you should take things slowly and carefully to ensure you are paid what you deserve.
You May be Tempted
An accident can place a victim's life in total disarray. Consider how they must deal with the pain of being hurt, medical treatments, being out of work, and more. Most of all, though, most accident victims just want their lives to get back to normal. These issues can be powerful motivators to settle an accident case and just get it over with. However, that is probably because the victim is not looking at things from the correct point of view.
Speak to a Lawyer
No matter what happened with your accident, a lawyer is willing to listen to you and provide guidance. They can help you decide on accepting a settlement or holding out for more money, for example. Once your lawyer hears the facts of your case, they may advise you that you are entitled to more money than you are being offered by the at-fault driver's insurer.
In many cases, your lawyer can show you a breakdown of what you should be paid. This is based on your damages. Many accident victims suffer from the following losses:
- Medical expenses.
- Lost wages.
- Vehicle damage or total loss.
- Pain and suffering.
One of the biggest factors in determining how much an adequate settlement should be is the degree of your injuries. If you have minor injuries, your medical expenses will be high but not as high as they might be. However, if you had to remain in the hospital and continue to need medical treatment, you probably deserve more than they are offering you
A common problem when victims settle their case too quickly is that they are unable to come back and seek more money. If you need more medical treatment later because of a reoccurring problem related to the accident, you won't be able to get more from the auto insurer once you have settled.
Take your time when presented with an accident settlement. Don't agree to sign anything until you have talked to a personal injury lawyer. Don't make the mistake of underestimating how much you should be paid.
For more information about the steps to take after a car accident, contact a car accident attorney in your area.