When you have been injured in a vehicular collision or another type of accident, it is understandable that you might want to move on and “forget” about the incident as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the desire to switch your focus to the future could leave you vulnerable to less compensation than you deserve.
When your accident is the result of negligence by someone else, there are several reasons why you might decline the first offer insurance tries to give you:
- Their insurance company does not represent you. Their insurance company is looking at the bottom line for themselves, not what is truly in your best interest. In many cases, they will offer you less than you should receive in the hopes you will take it for a quick payday.
- You may be unaware of all your injuries. Whiplash is a common example, but there are injuries that may not manifest at the time of the accident. You could experience secondary complications and infections, changing the trajectory of your healing. Your initial complaint might not fully cover all your injuries.
- Pain and suffering are calculated into the offer. Medical bills and lost wages are part of any settlement, but insurance companies often fail to place a value on your pain and suffering and other non-economic damages.
- You could be signing away your rights. When you accept an insurance settlement, standard practice is to have you sign a release that absolves the insurance company of any continued responsibility to pay for damages caused by the accident.
- Insurance company tactics may make you question your case. Insurance adjusters can claim you do not have a good case, that you are primarily at fault, or that hiring a lawyer will complicate the process. These methods are all designed to get you to accept a less-than-desirable settlement.
Trials can be costly and time-consuming, which adds to the insurance company’s desire to settle with you before an attorney becomes involved. When you hire a lawyer skilled in personal injury law, the insurance company knows that you are willing to fight for fair compensation.
Our legal professionals at Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner, PLLC are well-versed in insurance industry tactics that attempt to deny you what you are rightly owed. Experience like ours is important to have by your side when seeking fair compensation.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury cases are often the result of an accident. If someone else is the cause of your injuries, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Personal injury law can include, but is not limited to:
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Animal Attacks
- Slips and Falls
- Medical Malpractice
- Workplace accidents
Have Confidence You Are Properly Compensated
We have championed our clients throughout West Virginia since 1931. You will receive our experienced legal know-how, from negotiating with the insurance company to potential trial. Receiving a financial award does not change what happened in the accident, but it can provide peace of mind and the means to secure a more stable future.
Every case is unique with its own merits, so we cannot guarantee an outcome. Yet we can promise to fully represent your best interests if we take on your case.
If you feel you may be entitled to compensation, call us today at (304) 713-2014 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and learn more about next steps.