Experiencing a car accident can change your life in many ways. With an injury, you could be facing extensive medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, and more. Most states require us to carry car insurance, and we rely on that insurance to help cover the costs when an accident happens. But what do we do when their offered settlement is nowhere near enough?
Insurance companies notoriously try to offer you the lowest possible amount, even when you deserve much more. You should never just outright accept their offer. Instead, hire a personal injury lawyer in Cleveland to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Quick Offers When You Are Vulnerable
The insurance company knows how vulnerable you are. They certainly don’t want to be stuck paying any more than they absolutely have to for this claim. They often prey on people by giving them a quick offer. You may feel desperate and just want to get some money to help with immediate expenses.
Unfortunately, that first offer is typically a lowball offer that won’t even begin to cover your true financial needs that stem from this accident. If you accept this offer, it is unlikely that you will get any further compensation from the insurance company. In fact, in most cases, you agree that you won’t request additional funds after accepting that offer.
The truth is, you don’t even know the full extent of your expenses yet. Pain and suffering, current lost wages, future lost wages, and medical expenses will continue to add up even after the settlement funds are long gone.
Fight for FAIR Negotiations
One thing that insurance companies never include in a settlement is pain and suffering. Their initial offer to you will be based on initial circumstances. It doesn’t consider any long-term needs or suffering. It doesn’t matter to them if you experience PTSD or have an injury so extensive you’re out of work for six months.
When you accept a settlement offer right away, you cannot fight for punitive damages. This includes compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. You are only issued a settlement for immediately known expenses. Those punitive damages are typically only awarded when you hire a lawyer.
Some cases have to go to trial. However, the majority of accident cases never go to trial. Once you hire a personal injury lawyer in Cleveland, the insurance companies know you are serious about seeking fair compensation. Most insurance companies will then negotiate with your legal counsel until you come to an agreement.
To get to this point, you need legal representation that can help you collect and present evidence, compile expenses and documentation, and better understand what type of compensation should be sought. Going through negotiation with your lawyer is the best way to get the compensation that you deserve. Don’t accept that quick offer and risk regretting it later. Hire experienced counsel and get the money you deserve.