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334-333-3333As you get ready to file your personal injury claim against the other party’s insurance company, you may wonder when you can expect compensation. Medical bills, lost wages, and financial costs may add up as you recover from injuries, so you may be tempted to take the initial offer from the other party’s insurance company.
However, the initial offer isn’t usually in your best interest; it may not be enough to cover your bills. A personal injury attorney can develop a strong case so you can receive greater compensation, even if it takes longer to receive payment.
The insurance company’s first offer may seem like a fair amount to you to help with your bills. In reality, their interests come first and may not consider all the potential future expenses for your settlement.
Here are a few of the main reasons never to accept the initial offer:
Aside from economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages, you can also receive compensation for non-economic damages when you take legal action. These non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and emotional distress.
The insurance company may rush to give you the first offer before knowing your injuries’ extent. If you require long-term health care or suffer permanent or chronic pain, the initial offer may not cover all your future treatment costs.
Initial offers rarely reflect actual value in the first round of negotiations. When you reject an offer, the insurance adjuster can negotiate with you. Never negotiate your offer from the insurance company without first consulting with a personal injury lawyer.
Filing a successful personal injury claim with your Montgomery personal injury lawyer takes time, depending on these factors.
Determining the severity of your injuries accounts for the value of your settlement. If the other party’s insurance company tries to challenge the legitimacy of your injuries, it will delay your settlement.
The medical records and bills show how your injuries resulted from the accident. To prove your injuries, the lawyer may have a medical expert connect your current injuries to the accident on your behalf.
The personal injury attorney can prove the other party is at fault and then refer to their insurance policy. To decide the amount of money you need, the attorney may need to review their insurance policy’s legal language, policy limits, and coverage limits.
The other party should have the minimum auto insurance coverage of 25/50/25 in Alabama for a car accident. This means their insurance covers $25,000 for bodily injuries per person, $50,000 for all bodily injuries in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage in the accident.
The insurance limits are the maximum amount that the insurance company can pay out to you. Evidence, such as your property damage, medical expenses, and other losses, can also prove economic and non-economic damages in your accident.
How long it takes you to achieve maximum medical improvement (MMI) can affect the timeline of your case. This means you have reached the extent of your recovery from your injury.
While your recovery may delay your claim, your lawyer can account for all the medical expenses incurred during your recovery period. The lawyer can then include them in the total amount of your compensation.
The insurance company may not cooperate with a claim until they have used all their defenses. Their defenses include trying to discredit you and minimizing the severity of your injuries.
Your lawyer and the insurance company may negotiate several times for a reasonable settlement. There is the potential for a lawsuit against the insurance company to show that you are serious about receiving compensation. Pursuing legal action can put pressure on an insurance company to consider offering a higher settlement.
If the insurance company offered you an initial settlement, call The Vance Law Firm before accepting because you may be entitled to more compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and let us help you with your claim and ensure you receive a fair settlement.
