5 steps that will help you avoid settling for less compensation than you deserve following an accident.
In most personal injury accidents, the victim’s compensation is going to be paid by an insurance company representing the party who caused the accident. Unfortunately, insurance companies are often quick to deny or diminish the victim’s injuries or suffering in an attempt to get away with offering less compensation.
If you have been offered a settlement by an insurance company, you need to think very carefully before accepting. Completing these 5 tasks will help you make sure you are not accidentally accepting an offer that is unfair and inadequate to your needs.
Consult a Personal Injury Attorney
Calling an experienced personal injury attorney such as Michael A. Kahn really should be the very first step you take after any type of accident. However, just because time has passed since the accident and you have actually already received a settlement offer doesn’t mean it is too late to call Attorney Kahn. He can provide invaluable assistance with the remaining 4 things you need to do before accepting a settlement offer.
Understand the Full Extent of Your Injuries
If you have suffered a serious injury such as head injury or a spinal cord injury, it is entirely possible you are going to have symptoms or limitations that last for the rest of your life. But while you are healing, you won’t necessarily know what kind of symptoms you’ll be left with or how severe they are. Getting an expert opinion from a doctor who specializes in your particular injury will help, but ideally you should try to wait until you have reached the point of “maximum medical improvement” so you can make sure all of the lasting effects of the injury are accounted for in your settlement.
Properly Quantify Your Damages
Your settlement offer should include more than your current medical bills. It should also include compensation for future medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. Because the value of damages for pain and suffering can vary widely from case to case, it is essential to have your personal injury attorney advise you on this point and help you calculate a high and low amount of compensation that would be fair, reasonable, and acceptable to you.
Understand Your Legal Position
The stronger the evidence supporting your legal position in the case is, the more reason you have to hold out for a better settlement offer. For example, if you were involved in a store slip and fall accident that was caught on tape, you are in a much better position than if you suffered a fall in an area with no cameras and no witnesses. If the insurance company believes you could win your case in court, they should be willing to offer fair compensation in order to avoid having you sue them.
Negotiate for a Better Offer
The insurance company’s first offer is almost never their best offer. You can and should have your attorney negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement offer that covers all your damages and will be adequate to help you heal and move on with your life after the accident.
Call Now to Get Started
If you need help with a personal injury case, contact the Law Offices of Michael A. Kahn at (310) 209-1600 for a free initial consultation.
