Victims who sustain serious injuries in a personal injury accident usually experience tremendous physical, emotional, and financial strain. The National Safety Council reports that accidental injuries have become the third-leading cause of deaths in the United States. The cost of the required medical treatment is in itself a significant burden on the victim. The victim may file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party to recover damages.
However, in many cases, the victim has to deal with the at-fault party’s insurance company to receive compensation. The insurance company may try to offer you a settlement check very early into the settlement talks. Many injury victims end up accepting this check without realizing how detrimental this can be for their financial well-being. It is always advisable to consult a personal injury lawyer before accepting a settlement offer from the insurance company.
Why You Should Not Accept an Offer Right Away
In most cases, the at-fault party’s insurance company will try to low-ball the victim by offering an unfair settlement offer. The insurance company may not even cover all the expenses incurred by the victim. In fact, in many cases, the insurance company tries to blame the victim for the accident. This is because they are aware of Indiana’s comparative negligence system. This system dictates the compensation a victim may receive depending on the percentage of fault attributable to the victim.
Insurance companies and defense attorneys always try to pressure the victim into accepting a lower offer if they know that the victim does not have an attorney. This is why one should always consult with a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer given by the insurance company.
How an Indiana Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help?
An Indiana personal injury attorney can win thousands of dollars more for an injury victim. This is because an attorney deals with insurance companies and defense attorneys regularly. An attorney is aware of the pressure tactics used by insurance companies to save money. Consulting a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the injury will allow the attorney to provide a fair assessment of the victim’s case.
An attorney will make sure that the insurance company pays the compensation the victim deserves. An attorney will ensure that all the expenses incurred by the victim are considered and covered under the settlement offer.
An Indiana personal injury attorney can help the victim with:
- Collecting necessary documents and evidence that prove the negligence of the at-fault party.
- Talking to witnesses who saw what happened.
- Making sure that all the medical records are maintained and used to show the extent of the injuries suffered and medical expenses incurred by the victim.
- Making a fair assessment of the other losses suffered by the victim including lost income, pain and suffering, and any other damages.
An attorney will help the victim at every step of the negotiation process with the insurance company and also make sure that a lawsuit is filed in case the insurance company is not willing to pay a fair amount.
Get in Touch With an Indiana Personal Injury Attorney
If you suffered serious injuries due to the negligence of someone else and are dealing with insurance companies to recover compensation, connect with our team of Indiana personal injury attorneys at Stewart & Stewart. Our attorneys will negotiate with the insurance companies and if required, file a lawsuit to help you get the rightful compensation.