I always assumed that personal injury cases where pretty straight forward. After being in an accident, any financial losses that you suffered would be reimbursed by the liable party's insurance company. Unfortunately, things only work this way in a perfect world. In the real world, personal injury cases are extremely complex and getting the insurance company to pay a fair settlement requires the expertise of an experienced injury lawyer. Unfortunately, it took me several months to finally seek out the legal assistance I needed. As a result, I waited much longer than necessary to get the compensation I so desperately needed. During this time, I learned more about personal injury law than I ever thought I would. It is my hope that this blog will allow me to share that knowledge with you so that you can avoid making some of the same mistakes that I did.
After a car accident, it's only natural for victims to want things over with as fast as possible. Getting paid quickly, though, is not always a good idea. Read on to find out why settling your car accident case too soon may not be as attractive as it sounds.
The Pressure Is On
If the driver that caused the accident is insured, that is always a good thing. However, that doesn't always mean you'll be offered what you deserve. In some cases, the other side tries to settle the case as soon as possible. They may contact you right away and try to get you to accept a check. The reason for this need for speed is simple: the longer you wait to settle, the more likely you are to contact a lawyer.
What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
After an accident, you may not have a good idea of the full extent of your medical needs right away. Some injuries take more time to become apparent. Also, you may not achieve enough healing to establish maximum medical improvement (MMI). That term is meant to explain how recuperation after an accident can reach a plateau in which no further healing is expected. For example, those with back injuries after an accident can suffer from prolonged recuperation periods. Some back injuries get better quickly but some don't and require surgeries months or even years afterward. Don't ever agree to an evaluation of MMI without speaking to a personal injury lawyer. If you do, you might find yourself without enough funds to cover your future needs.
Along those same lines, many accident victims don't know what they should be paid after an accident. You might be entitled to a lot more than the insurer is offering. If you later find out that you should have been paid for lost wages, for instance, there is no way to go back and undo the settlement. Another large category of compensation after an accident is pain and suffering. This form of damage covers your general discomfort from the pain of the injuries as well as the mental and emotional effects on you and your loved ones. This form of damage alone could be beyond your medical expenses and worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
To ensure you don't accept a settlement that leaves out a major chunk of your compensation, speak to a personal injury lawyer. They understand not only what you are owed but how to obtain it for you. Contact a law firm for more information.
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