The last thing on your mind after sustaining severe injuries in a mishap is dealing with an insurance firm. You may want to avoid the ordeal due to exhaustion, confusion, or pain. While it is understandable that you want to recuperate and rest, you may need to battle the insurance company to receive proper compensation for your losses.
Some insurers develop different tactics to offer you a meager amount and pressure you into accepting it. Without a personal injury attorney, you may ignorantly accept the lowball settlement.
This article discusses the consequences of avoiding a personal injury attorney after an accident.
What Interest Does Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Serve?
Without mincing words, engaging a personal injury attorney serves your best interests. A well-trained attorney will prioritize your interests and defend your rights while interfacing with the insurance company.
Specifically, a personal injury attorney will review the accident’s circumstances, evaluate your losses, and highlight how your issue will benefit from legal representation.
What Are My Chances Without a Legal Representation?
You will likely lose a substantial settlement sum if you fail to work with a lawyer. Insurance firms are notorious for taking advantage of victims in their most vulnerable state. They offer miserable amounts that they pressure you to take.
Unfortunately, many victims innocently accept these offers because they appear generous. When an insurance adjuster contacts you, you might not know the full extent of your injuries immediately after the accident. Traumatic brain injury and whiplash victims often fall into this error.
“Not understanding the full extent of your injuries means you cannot accurately determine your damages. For instance, you could be eligible to obtain recovery for future medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages you cannot establish immediately,” says personal injury attorney Jon D. Berman of Berman & Russo.
Hence, you will shortchange yourself if you handle the process without a lawyer’s guidance.
What if the Insurance Firm’s Offer Satisfies Me?
While it is understandable that you want to get the entire thing behind you quickly, it is advisable to allow a reputable personal injury attorney evaluate the settlement offer letter. As observed earlier, the insurance firm will likely prioritize their profit and downplay your injuries.
You forgo your right to institute a lawsuit against the insurance firm after consenting to their settlement letter. If some things eventually change and your condition deteriorates, you cannot return to the insurance carrier for additional payment.
The letter you willingly signed is a binding agreement affirming your inability to pursue further financial compensation once they have made the agreed upon payment. Of course, you can accept the offered amount if it satisfies you. However, it is a risky and threat-laden move without a lawyer’s guidance.
Speak with a Legal Professional
It can be exhausting and overwhelming to negotiate with an insurance firm. They will employ tactics designed to frustrate or compel you into accepting their offer. It is a highly slippery journey; doing it without a professional beside you can increase your chances of an unexpected and unwanted outcome.
Insurers use well-trained and highly experienced attorneys to protect their self-interests. Thus, you intentionally hurt your case if you decide to neglect the services of a personal injury attorney. Engage an attorney to help you collect the maximum compensation for your case.
