You do not have to accept any offer from an insurance adjuster. You have several options when the insurance company makes a settlement offer. These include:
- Accepting the offer if you believe it is fair based on your damages
- Countering with a just value for your losses
- Refusing the offer and suing the liable party
- Discussing your case with an attorney, if you have not already done so
If you work with a personal injury lawyer from our team on your claim, we can offer advice and guidance about your choice. We will also provide you with information to help you make this decision and fight for the compensation you deserve based on your case.
Should I Accept This Settlement Agreement?
In general, it is rarely a good idea to accept payment or sign anything from the at-fault party’s insurer before you speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case. Insurance companies usually do not want to pay claimants what their cases may be worth. Instead, they want to pay out as little as possible to save money.
Your attorney may be able to put an estimated range on the case and help you understand how much an appropriate settlement would cover. Even if you filed a claim independently, letting an attorney review the case is a good idea. Our firm provides free case evaluations so that we can review any legal options you have.
Many Insurance Companies Offer Lowball Offers to Victims
In some cases, insurers will reach out to an accident victim and make an offer quickly following an injury. When this occurs, they are hoping the person believes the settlement is significant and appropriate. However, there is no way to know this early how much the case may be worth.
It is never a good idea to accept a settlement offer before:
- Your injuries have stabilized
- You understand the necessary treatment plan; and
- You are aware of your other recoverable damages in the case
This generally requires an investigation into the crash and time to get estimates for car repairs and more.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 537-8185
How do I Know What a Fair Offer Looks Like in My Case?
The only way to get an idea of what a case might be worth is to calculate the value of your financial losses, expenses, future costs, and intangible damages. Some of these categories are relatively easy to calculate. For example, you can add your medical bills to date and the wages you missed when you could not work.
However, other categories are much more challenging. For example, determining the costs you may have to pay for future medical care could require expert testimony, such as that from an accident reconstructionist or a medical professional. The same is true for valuing diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job.
Intangible losses such as pain and suffering do not have a monetary value, but techniques and calculators can help us place a general cost on these damages. If you work with us, one of our attorneys may be able to estimate the value of these losses.
How Can an Attorney Help Me Get an Appropriate Settlement Offer?
One thing you can do for the best outcome in your case is to work with a personal injury lawyer who regularly handles claims like yours. Our attorneys negotiate settlements with insurance adjusters all the time and know proven tactics to help recover an appropriate offer.
We also know how to gather evidence and prove the expenses and losses our clients suffered. Building a strong argument for a fair payout is equally important as proving negligence and liability. When you partner with a personal injury attorney from our firm, they will take care of your claim. You will not need to do anything. You can focus on undergoing treatment and getting better.
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Do I Need to Sue the Liable Party to Recover Compensation?
Most cases do not require going to trial to secure a fair and appropriate payout after an injury. Instead, victims and insurance companies reach a settlement agreement. However, if they refuse to offer a just payout, we may recommend suing the liable party.
There are deadlines on beginning a lawsuit, so you need to ensure you reach this point before time runs out.
In the four Gulf South states, these deadlines vary from one year (in Louisiana under La. Civ. Code Art. 3492) to three years (in Arkansas under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 and Mississippi under Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49). Connect with a lawyer as soon as possible after your injuries to ensure that you do not miss these deadlines or others that could reduce your time even more.
Morris Bart, LLC, Provides Free Consultations with Our Personal Injury Lawyers
You can discuss your case for free today with a Morris Bart law firm representative. We serve the Gulf South from 15 locations. Our office closest to you represents clients on a contingency-fee basis.
Call (800) 537-8185 to learn more about how our lawyer can help you seek a potential settlement.
Questions?Call (800) 537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.