After an automobile accident or personal injury, you just want to get your life back to normal. Insurance companies know this, which is why they are quick to make settlement offers in many cases. With so much going on, it’s tempting to take that offer and speed up the resolution of your case. But there’s a major downside to this, and it’s why you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Settlement offers are almost always lower than they should be. Most people know this, because the medical bills will keep rolling in long after you’ve been treated. The nature of your injury, however, may cause you to need further treatment down the road that you don’t initially anticipate. There are many conditions and complications that take time to reveal themselves, and that means future medical bills you might not yet be thinking about.
But if you develop future medical problems, you can just request more money from the insurance company later, right? Wrong. Once you sign the settlement papers, you waive any future claims you might have had against the insurance company or the at-fault party.
Why Consulting with an Attorney Is a Must
Insurance companies are businesses. They exist to keep expenses low, keep profits high, and keep their customers and shareholders happy. An insurance adjuster may sound sympathetic on the phone with you, but at the end of the day, the insurance company’s job is to make money. That means getting rid of your case as quickly and inexpensively as possible.
One thing that insurance companies often do is ask the accident victim to give a recorded statement about what happened. This is bad for two main reasons. First, you likely do not know about everything that happened this soon after the accident. You may not know the driver was intoxicated or was driving recklessly right before hitting you. The insurance company will ask you questions to inadvertently get you to “admit” to your own negligence, even if you did nothing wrong.
Which leads to the second reason. These recorded statements can come back to haunt you later. Insurance companies know that accident victims are not always thinking clearly at the time they give recorded statements. The sad truth is, talking to them can seriously damage your case.
Having experienced legal representation can help you know the true value of your claim. Your goal is to account, as much as possible, for all present and future damages associated with your injury. That may include rehabilitation, physical therapy, and expensive prescription drugs. You may also be entitled to damages you might not yet be considering, such as lost wages, decreased earning capacity, and pain and suffering. You can bet the insurance company is not going to offer anything close to account for these and other damages.
Contact Hale & Monico Today
Insurance companies come into the picture when you are most vulnerable. They will use your own words against you, and may even try to convince you that your pain is a pre-existing condition. Don’t fall for their game. Let the aggressive personal injury attorneys of Hale & Monico go to work for you. We will have your back each step of the way and will demand the compensation you deserve. Call us today.