If you suffer a serious injury due to the negligence of someone else, it's likely that their insurance company will contact you for an official statement to review details of the incident before offering an injury settlement. Before talking to the insurance company let alone coming to any decision, however, you should seek advice from our team at Dugan & Associates in order to know when you should - or shouldn't - accept a settlement offer based on the specifics of your case.
What to do About a Settlement Offer
The recovery process following a serious injury can cost you hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages, which the insurance company may be responsible to cover. But, in an attempt to save as much money as possible, insurance companies will race to offer a quick (but low) settlement offer that is simply unfair and not on par for what you deserve. In these instances, you should consult with your attorney before making any decisions to make sure the insurance company is covering ALL of your damages. Once you cash their check, you're most likely unable to seek any further compensation.
Settlement Offers: What to Keep in Mind
For starters, never accept an injury settlement offer until all of your injuries are healed or you have already spoken to an attorney. If your injury is severe, it may cause expensive ongoing medical complications, rehabilitation or future surgeries that will not be covered if you accept the settlement offer before. Don't rush, you have two years from the time of the injury to file a negligence lawsuit.
Lean on the advice of your lawyer and discuss these five major topics with them:
1) Is the insurance company covering all or only a portion of your medical care?
2) Are all of your injuries being considered in the settlement?
3) Was the other party assigned the correct percentage of fault?
4) Did the insurance adjuster take long-term care into consideration?
5) Did the insurance adjuster take pain and suffering damages into consideration?
We know personal injury settlements can be complex, but that's why Dugan & Associates is here to help. If you or someone you love was seriously injured, our team is ready to look at your case. Our experienced lawyers will make sure you receive the maximum monetary compensation available to you. Give us a call at 412-353-3572 or contact us online today for your FREE consultation.
"*" indicates required fields
