Injured parties are often surprised when they receive a settlement offer from an insurance company very soon after their injury occurs. Unfortunately, all too many people are quick to accept initial settlement offers because they know that between their medical bills and being out of work, any savings that they have could quickly be depleted, leaving them struggling to make ends meet. However, this can be a costly mistake.
While it is true that being injured in an accident can be very expensive, accepting an inadequate settlement offer is even more so. If you have received an initial settlement offer, the best thing that you can do is read it very carefully, keeping in mind as you read it that someone whose interest that is contrary to yours wrote it. In other words, the settlement offer came from the insurance company, so it is designed to maximize the benefit to the insurance company by convincing you to settle the claim quickly, and for as little money as possible. This is a stark constrast to the situation where you are presented by an experienced personal injury attorney- whose only loyalty is to you and to making sure you get the compensation that you deserve.
It is important that accident victims remember that they want to be fully compensated for the all of damages that they have sustained as the result of the accident. It is entirely possible that you might not know the full extent of your injuries and damages before an initial settlement offer comes your way. When you look at the situation from this perspective, you can see how accepting an initial settlement offer could put you at risk of settling your case for less than it is worth.
Fortunately, injured parties have choices that they may exercise regarding settlement offers. First and foremost, an injured party may choose to accept or reject any settlement offer that is extended to them by the insurance company. Additionally, injured parties can get help with the arduous task of deciding whether to accept or reject a settlement offer from a personal injury attorney. Your attorney can help you to understand what your case is worth and whether the propose offer would adequately compensate you for your injuries. They can take over the task of corresponding with the insurance company, and they can pursue a better offer if you choose to decline the offer that you have received.
Throughout the claims process, your attorney can help you obtain the information and provide the services that you need, including vigorously advocating your interests and advising you as to the appropriatness and fairness of a settlement offer, and you retain the choice to accept or reject settlement offers that are extended by the insurance company.
Receiving a favorable settlement offer is certainly a good thing, but the support of your attorney goes beyond that. In the event that the insurance company refuses to extend an offer that will adequately compensate you for your injuries, your personal injury attorney can represent you in initiating legal proceedings. Personal injury attorneys know what kinds of information they need to present to the court in order to put on a convincing case for their clients.
Put Our Law Firm’s Over 39 Years of Legal Experience to Work For Your Case!
Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Montlick and Associates have been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over thirty years, including but not limited to all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you.
Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
