Car accidents can be a traumatic and emotionally overwhelming experience. If you suffer an injury, you need money to pay hospital bills, replace lost income from missing work, and property damage stemming from the crash.
Injury claim negotiations often involve insurance companies offering accident victims a settlement to help them obtain the money needed for recovery. However, it is imperative to understand that you should never accept the insurer’s first settlement offer – no matter how much it is or how it may help you cover your expenses right away.
The following are three reasons why you should reject the insurance company’s initial offer:
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The insurance company is not working in your best interests – Although the insurance adjuster you communicate with during the process may appear to care about your situation and seem friendly, they are actually working in the best interests of their employer – the insurance company. Therefore, the insurance adjuster will try to give you the lowest settlement offer possible and make it sound like they have done everything they can to get you’re the compensation you deserve.
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You may be entitled to more damages – The truth is that you may be entitled to much more than the insurer’s initial offer. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you could calculate all the losses from your collision and determine the full extent of your injuries to see if you need any long-term medical care.
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If you accept the offer, the settlement is final – Once you sign off on the settlement, you cannot reopen your case and attempt to receive additional compensation. So, if you later learn that your injury is more serious than you initially thought after you accept the offer, your case is considered already closed and you could be left with more out-of-pocket expenses after your settlement amount is depleted.
At Paulsen Law Group, we are committed to maximizing your financial compensation to help you make the best possible recovery from injury. With more than 15 years of legal experience, Attorney David Paulsen can investigate your accident, collect and analyze evidence, negotiate with insurers, and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Tampa Bay, FL, contact Paulsen Law Group today for a free initial consultation.