Should You Take the First Settlement Offer You Get?

You have been harmed by someone else’s negligence, and the confusion you feel about how best to proceed may have stopped you in your tracks. You probably recognize that you will need to file an accident claim with the at-fault party’s provider – and that settling this claim is the name of the game – but everything beyond this may be a blur. While the goal is to settle your personal injury claim for an amount that covers the full range of your losses, accepting the first settlement offer that comes your way is highly unlikely to be the answer. Before accepting a settlement offer, it’s always in your best interest to consult with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney who is well versed with the ins and outs of your claim.

Your Overall Losses

Before accepting a settlement offer from the insurance company that is handling your claim, it’s critical that you recognize the full extent of your overall losses (what the law calls damages). Until these are well represented, you can’t be sure that the settlement you accept is adequate to addressing each category of loss in its entirety.

Your Medical Bills

If you’ve been injured in an accident, your medical expenses are obviously a concern that is front and center. Serious injuries come with serious medical bills, but they can also lead to ongoing healthcare concerns that include secondary medical conditions – all of which must be addressed in your personal injury claim (and your settlement). Common medical expenses include:

Emergency care
Surgery
Hospital stays
Pain management
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy and occupational therapy
Medical treatments, procedures, and tests

Your Lost Earnings

While you are off the job recovering from your injuries, you will very likely experience a decrease in earnings. While this should be addressed in your personal injury settlement, it’s important to recognize that more serious injuries can lead to losses in earning potential that can add up quickly over time.

Your Pain and Suffering

In addition to your financial losses, you’re likely to experience physical and emotional damages related to the pain and suffering you’ve been forced to endure. Your pain and suffering is very real and should be clearly addressed in your personal injury settlement.

Establishing the real value of your claim prior to accepting a settlement is paramount.

The Insurance Company

The insurance company handling your claim is only too aware of your predicament and is not necessarily above playing on it by offering an early lowball settlement offer that it hopes you will accept out of financial desperation. Don’t play into the insurance company’s hands. Instead, turn to your capable personal injury attorney – who has the skill, insight, and experience to fight the insurance company at its own game – in pursuit of a fair settlement that addresses your losses in their entirety.

Seek the Professional Legal Counsel of an Experienced Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney Today

The distinguished Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Slappey & Sadd have a wealth of experience helping clients like you obtain settlements that honor the full array of the damages they’ve suffered. We’re here for you too, so please don’t hesitate to contact or call us at 888.474.9616 today