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Understanding Whether or Not You Should Consult a Virginia Car Accident Attorney Before Accepting an Offer From Insurance
“The insurance adjuster for my Virginia car accident makes it sound like their current offer is as good as it’s going to get. Should I accept it, or should I consult a car accident lawyer first?” This is a common question for those who have suffered injuries or property damage as a result of a car crash. Unfortunately, many insurance companies want you to accept a lower offer than you deserve, so they may try to make even a lowball offer sound fair. That’s why it’s important to consult an experienced car accident attorney so they can help you determine whether or not the insurance offer is reasonable. Our attorneys at Delaney, Lauer, and Thomas can help you understand the complexities of your case and what a fair offer of compensation might be.
Understanding Insurance Settlements
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the other driver’s insurance company is likely to make you a settlement offer to compensate you for injuries and property damage. Some people accept the first settlement offer because they want or need the money more quickly, but once you agree to a settlement with an insurance company, you will be unlikely to get any additional recovery from the insurer in the future.
Insurance companies may use a variety of tactics to get you to accept a settlement offer. Such tactics include asking for a recorded statement in the hopes of you saying something that enables them to lower the offer or downplaying your injuries and losses. In some cases, they may even employ bad-faith tactics like pressuring you to accept the offer.
That’s why you should consult an auto accident attorney before you accept any settlements for your car accident case. An experienced auto accident attorney can review the details of your case and let you know whether or not the initial offer is fair, given the circumstances of the accident.
Insurance Companies’ Goals in Car Accident Cases
Individual insurance adjusters usually aren’t malicious, but an unfortunate fact about the insurance companies they work for is that they’re often out for their own profit rather than the best interests of car accident victims.
That’s why insurance companies usually contact you with a lowball offer early in the process. Many people who have been in a car accident face the daunting prospect of medical bills piling up and, in some cases, lost wages after missing work due to injuries. Insurance companies know this, so they may try to get you to accept a lower offer so you can get the money more quickly.
Factors to Consider When the Insurance Company Offers a Settlement
The most important consideration when evaluating a settlement offer should be the cost of your damages, both economic (like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage) and non-economic (like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium). Damages you may be able to recover include:
- Medical bills (and related expenses)
- The cost of future care for long-term injuries
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and other intangible expenses
While you’re evaluating the settlement offer, be sure to consider all the following factors:
- How long do doctors anticipate your healing will take
- Whether you’ll have to miss work for an extended period
- Whether you can continue living alone without assistance
- How long you’re personally able to wait for full compensation
All these factors and more contribute to whether or not you should accept the insurance company’s initial offer. An experienced car accident attorney can help you walk through each of these considerations and decide what your next steps should be.
Tips for Dealing with Insurance Adjusters
If the insurance company is being difficult and pestering you to accept an offer, here are a few tips for dealing with them:
- Keep records of all communications.
- Don’t sign anything unless you have carefully read the entire document.
- Be polite but firm – avoid being cornered into any agreements or admissions of fault.
Finally, consult a car accident attorney. They can advise you on what a fair settlement offer might be, and they can speak with insurance companies on your behalf so you avoid saying anything that may negatively affect your case.
How Our Virginia Car Accident Attorney Can Help You
It’s important to contact an experienced Virginia car accident lawyer before you agree to any insurance settlements. If the offer is actually fair, they’ll likely advise you to take it. If, however, it’s not representative of what you’re likely to gain through further negotiations or at trial for a personal injury claim, your attorney will likely advise you to reject the offer.
Our auto accident lawyers at Dulaney, Lauer, and Thomas can help you by gathering and reviewing all available evidence, gaining expert witness testimony, dealing with insurance on your behalf, and more.