Should I Hire a Lawyer if the Insurance Company Is Offering Money?
After a car accident, you may receive a call or letter from the insurance company offering you a settlement. While it might be tempting to accept the money immediately, you should think twice before signing anything. Insurance companies are in the business of minimizing payouts, and accepting an early offer could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in compensation you are legally entitled to.
Hiring an attorney ensures you receive the full value of your case and are not taken advantage of by lowball offers.
Why You Should Be Cautious of Insurance Offers
Insurance adjusters are trained to offer the lowest amount possible. They know:
Unrepresented claimants often lack the knowledge to calculate the true value of their case.
A small settlement may seem tempting if you need money quickly, but it rarely covers all past and future damages.
Once you sign a release, your case is legally closed, and you cannot pursue additional compensation later.
What Is the True Value of Your Case?
The full value of a personal injury case includes much more than just medical bills. An experienced attorney evaluates:
Past and future pain and suffering
Past and future mental anguish
Past and future physical impairment or disfigurement
Past and future lost wages
Medical bills
Property damage or diminished value
Insurance companies often throw out a single number, hoping you will take it without understanding the full scope of damages. Accepting that offer can leave you with significantly less than you deserve.
How a Lawyer Can Help You Maximize Your Settlement
Proper Documentation of Injuries
Personal injury attorneys know which medical specialists can document injuries for court or insurance purposes.
Your primary care physician may not provide documentation sufficient to prove a spine injury, whiplash, or other accident-related conditions.
Proving Pain and Suffering
Lawyers understand how to calculate and present both physical and mental anguish in a way that insurance companies cannot ignore.
Navigating Medical Treatment
Attorneys can guide you to specialized doctors who understand how to document and testify about car accident injuries.
Ensuring Full Compensation
A lawyer ensures you are not left with an incomplete settlement and that all damages, past and future, are properly included.
Example:
If you were in a car accident that caused a spinal injury, an insurance adjuster might offer a quick payout for medical bills only. With an attorney, you could also recover compensation for pain, suffering, lost wages, future treatments, and property damage, which often results in substantially higher compensation.
Conclusion
Even if the insurance company is offering money, you should hire an attorney before accepting any settlement. Insurance companies are trained to offer lowball payouts to unrepresented claimants. With the guidance of an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can document your injuries properly, prove your pain and suffering, and secure the full value of your case. After all, you only have one chance to recover for the injuries someone else caused you, and you deserve fair compensation.
