Accidents are a part of life. Hopefully you can avoid the worries about healing and the costs involved. If you can’t, there are a lot of reasons why you should speak with a personal injury lawyer before you settle any kind of injury claim.
This article focuses on two of the seven reasons to talk to a lawyer. To get a free report on what you should do to protect yourself, check the resource box at the end of this article.
Reason number three to talk to a lawyer about your injury claim: it’s free. People who hire lawyers receive over 300% more money than those who do not. The insurance companies own independent research shows claims with personal injury lawyers are often settled for three times as much money as those without legal representation.
Almost all reputable personal injury attorneys provide an initial, free consultation. (I review injury settlements for free all the time, both in person and even online.) Oftentimes, we tell people that the offer fairly represents the value of the claim, and that there is no reason to hire us to become involved. That is, I don’t believe I can add any value to the settlement.
Many times the insurance company offer is simply unreasonable and low. There could have been an oversight by the adjuster. When that happens, an experienced personal injury attorney will explain why the offer is low, and outline a plan to get you the money you are entitled to receive.
Another reason to get an independent review of your injury claim by a personal injury lawyer is its “forever release” feature. Injuries and accidents are all unique. Once you sign a release, you are forever releasing the insurance company of its liability in helping you get better.
Almost all releases will have the requirement for the injured person to “release” their claim. I’ve seen cases where people sign a release then have a setback in their healing or need more treatment. Once you settle a claim, you can’t go back to the insurance company to get money for more treatment. Settlements are forever. Often, we advise victims to hold off of settling until the extent of the injuries are well known.
Medical bills do pile up quickly which makes people more likely to settle. Some states, like Montana, require insurance companies to pay the cost of medical treatment prior to a final settlement. Knowing your medical bills are covered can help with the emotional strain of an unreasonably low settlement offer. Having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can help you make the right decision for the proper time to settle your case.
Consulting an experienced personal injury attorney has a number of ways to help you get the settlement you deserve. Just having an independent look at the issue with someone who is on your side, can help you find problems you may not have seen before. Once you sign the insurance settlement papers and release, it is forever.
Don’t finish with the insurance company until you read this free report on “Your Rights” from personal injury lawyer John Heenan. There are a number of ways insurance companies can take advantage of your pain and not pay you. Heenan reviews seven specific reasons why you should speak to a personal injury lawyer now. Get the finishment you deserve by getting this free report now.