Should You Accept The First Settlement Offer In Your Personal Injury Case?
If you suffered an injury in Georgia because of another person’s negligence, you might be eligible to file a personal injury claim and recover compensation. After suffering an injury, you may be feeling overwhelmed because of, among other things, the large unpaid medical bills. On top of financial stress, you are likely dealing with pain and suffering because of your injuries. For these reasons, it is understandable if you consider taking the first settlement offer the other party’s insurance company gives you. But, should you accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company?
Quickly accepting the first settlement offer from an insurance company can be a huge mistake. It is crucial that, before you make a decision regarding the first settlement offer from the other party’s insurance company, you consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Below is why accepting the first settlement offer from an insurance company can be a huge mistake.
First Settlement Offers Are Usually Quite Low
Even though the insurance company may try to convince you it has your best interests in mind, nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is that insurance companies are in the business of making money and not paying out money to claimants. Insurance companies want to pay claimants as little as possible. Usually, insurance companies will make quick, low-ball settlement offers, hoping that a claimant is desperate enough to accept the offer without thinking twice.
Apart from offering plaintiffs low settlement offers because they know claimants are desperate to get paid, insurance companies give plaintiffs low-ball settlement offers because they know that unrepresented claimants do not understand their options. They know that unrepresented plaintiffs do not realize they can negotiate for more—often substantially more. That is why, if you suffered a personal injury, it is best that you retain a qualified attorney to help you. An attorney can help you negotiate the compensation you deserve.
You Should Not Settle Until You Have Reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)
When seeking compensation from a negligent party’s insurance company, you should usually avoid accepting a settlement offer before reaching maximum medical improvement. MMI is when you are either fully healed or cannot get significantly better.
In other words, you need to wait until you understand the full extent of your injuries before accepting a settlement offer from the insurance company.
What if You Accept a Low Settlement Offer?
Suppose you accept a low settlement offer from the insurance company. What happens in such a case? Unfortunately, you cannot go back and ask for more money if, later on, you realize you were underpaid. When you sign a settlement offer, you agree to take the money and give up your legal right to initiate a claim against the other party in the future for the same injuries. That is why you need to be extremely careful before accepting a settlement offer from an insurance company. If you are not sure whether a settlement offer is fair, consult an attorney.
Contact an Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney
If you suffered severe injuries in an accident in Georgia, do not hesitate to contact a qualified and dedicated Atlanta personal injury attorney at the Carroll Law Firm. We can help you calculate the total value of your claim and ensure you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
Source:
law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence
