Personal injury claims are filed every day. Whether seeking damages to cover medical expenses after a car accident, slip and fall, or premises security incident, you will likely be contacted by an insurance company to settle your claim.
How you respond to this initial settlement offer may make a world of difference in how much money you are ultimately paid.
If you have filed a personal injury claim for any situation, it is recommended that you contact a local personal injury attorney to assist you in evaluating the offers you receive.
When you file a personal injury claim, it is in the insurance company’s best interest to settle the claim quickly, and for as little money as possible. Although you may think that their initial settlement offer sounds fair, there are several reasons why you should never accept it – especially without professional consultation.
- Early on in the situation, you may not understand the full scope of your prognosis. You may not understand the amount of medical treatment or therapy which may be needed. or if another surgery will be necessary down the road. You may not yet have a clear picture of how this injury will affect your long term ability to work. For all these reasons and more, it is best to slow down the process, and to take your time determining if the settlement offer is sufficient.
- The insurance company knows that the claimant generally has no working knowledge of what dollar amounts were awarded in similar claims. Because their job is to try to get you to settle as quickly and cheaply as possible, their first settlement offer is often far lower than you may receive if you have someone on your side who understands the typical payouts in similar cases. An experienced personal injury attorney will assess the merits of the case, and evaluate previously settled cases which have established precedence.
- The insurance company also understands that an injured party may be feeling the financial squeeze after suffering an accident. The individual is often out of work, the medical bills are mounting, and the car is in need of repair. Someone in this situation is more likely to take a payout as soon as it is offered. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help to bridge the gap and explain why waiting is likely more profitable.
- Victims of accidents are far less likely to fight an insurance company (or the other party) in court to get what they deserve. Hiring a personal injury attorney and rejecting the initial settlement offer sends a message to the insurance company that you are not going away without a fair settlement. Additionally, an insurance company is more likely to be forthcoming with a solid offer more quickly when they understand they are up against an expert legal team.
- According to studies, those who file personal injury claims with legal representation (instead of accepting the initial offer) receive an average of $60,000 more in their pocket. More importantly, 93% of people who retain representation receive a settlement, while only 51% of those without representation will see anything at all.
It is important to note that once an initial settlement offer is accepted and paid to the claimant, there is no recourse to go back and get more. Hiring a Sarasota personal injury law firm such as Probinsky & Cole ensures you won’t be at the mercy of the insurance company.
