The aftermath of a car accident can leave you facing a considerable amount of physical, emotional and financial stress. All this stress, paperwork and pressure from insurance companies can make it tempting to settle the case quickly and avoid the complexity of a legal claim.
However, settling a personal injury case can be dangerous. Simply settling a personal injury claim could prevent you from getting the full compensation you deserve after you suffered an injury because of another’s negligence.
Unfortunately, insurance companies are often unfair
Not many people are aware of the unfair tactics insurance companies might use, such as:
- Undervaluing your compensation: The first offer from the insurance company is often a mere percentage of what they think your case is worth. Accepting this settlement could be settling for much less than you deserve.
- Rushing to save money: Insurance companies try to settle injury claims quickly to save money. This could be dangerous, especially since you might not be aware of the full range of damages or injuries the accident caused. For example, many injuries do not appear until long after the accident, such as a traumatic brain injury.
- Eliminating your options: Insurance companies also push settlements because if you accept a settlement, you often cannot return to ask for more, even if your policy covers it. It also might prevent you from filing a lawsuit. You should know that you do not have to rush into a settlement. Pennsylvanians have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
Remember: many insurance companies are often looking to save money and manage risks – they are not looking to help support you and your family after an accident.
Properly calculating your full compensation can be complex
Not many people understand exactly how much compensation they can obtain after a car accident. In Pennsylvania, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages to cover:
- Vehicle damages and repairs;
- Medical bills;
- Lost wages and earning ability; and
- Pain and suffering.
Determining the total value of these losses while navigating the claim paperwork and complex insurance policies can be challenging. But an experienced personal injury attorney understands how the legal process works and how to value your claim. They review your case to recover the facts of the accident and increase your maximum compensation.
Even though most personal injury claims are settled outside of court, working with an attorney ensures that you have an ally who knows how to negotiate with insurance companies, and who is prepared to take matters to court and obtain the full compensation you deserve.
 
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