If you’ve been injured in a car accident or other situation where you have suffered injury due to the negligence of another person, you may be worried about your injuries. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be dealing with exorbitant medical bills and lost wages. Not being able to work and earn money to pay for medical bills can be a scary situation.
While you do have the right to recover compensation from the insurance company, the question is: when? What if your injuries require medical treatment that will last several years? Should you wait until your treatment is finished before accepting an insurance settlement, or is it a good idea to settle soon after your accident?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. If you were seriously injured in a crash, it may take many months for your injuries to become apparent. Your condition could deteriorate after a few years and require more extreme—and costly—medical treatment. In some cases, the full extent of your injuries may be known immediately and you can proceed with negotiating a settlement.
This is a situation where legal assistance can be a great help. A personal injury lawyer from Harville Law Office, PLLC can assess your case and value your damages so you can accept the best offer available.
Why You Should Accept an Early Offer
Based on your medical records, if you have already suffered the extent of the injuries and are ready to move on from the accident, then it may be a good idea to settle early. You have the money sooner so you can get a new vehicle and pay medical bills.
First, communicate with your doctor to see if any procedures or additional medical treatment will be necessary in the future. You don’t want to make the mistake of settling only to find out that you will need a $50,000 surgery next year.
If you do settle, don’t accept the insurance company’s first offer. This is the lowest offer possible and often does not cover the full extent of your damages. Have your lawyer calculate your damages and compare it to the insurance company’s offer.
Why Waiting May Be a Good Idea
If you suffered a life-threatening injury, you may need to meet extensively with your doctor to understand the true nature of your injuries. For example, head trauma or a spinal cord injury can lead to paralysis and mobility issues down the road. Dealing with such a condition can be costly, so it may take some time to determine the value of your injuries. Settling early could be detrimental. You can’t reopen your case and ask for a higher amount later, so make sure you get what you need the first time around.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Accidents can lead to serious injuries, and some of them are not apparent right away. By settling too early, you could overlook injuries and miss out on receiving compensation for them.
A personal injury lawyer from Harville Law Office, PLLC can assess your claim and help you understand your options. We help our clients achieve the best financial outcome possible. Contact our office today.
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