If someone else’s negligence leaves you injured in a car accident, you no doubt have questions about how best to proceed. While no two car accidents involve the exact same circumstances, there are several important questions that tend to pop up, and their answers remain the same across the board.
I Have Been Hurt; What Should I Do?
If another motorist leaves you injured in a car accident, the first order of business is obtaining the medical attention that you need. Early diagnosis and treatment of injuries are closely associated with improved prognosis, so you owe it to your health to seek immediate medical attention. Further, it is critical that you carefully follow your doctor's instructions and guidance. This is not only what is best for your health and recovery but also the best way to address your car accident claim. The surest way to help prove the extent of the damages you have suffered is for you to take them seriously from the outset.
The Insurance Company Offered a Settlement; Should I Accept?
If the insurance company sweeps in and makes an early settlement offer, it is time to take a step back and consider their motivations. The insurance company is a for-profit enterprise that seeks to increase profits by reducing payouts. As such, early settlement offers are often an attempt to settle a claim before the claimant is fully aware of the extent of his or her damages. Other tactics that insurance companies tend to employ include:
Attempting to divert blame from the at-fault party
Stalling the claims process to the point that the claimant gives up
Making the claims process so convoluted and complex that the claimant walks away in frustration
Lowballing the cost of the damages suffered and, thus, the compensation offered
You are well-advised not to accept a settlement offer until you have discussed the matter with an experienced car accident attorney who is up to speed regarding your claim.
Will My Case Go to Court?
It is unlikely that your case will go to court. The fact is that the vast majority of car accident claims are settled out of court, which means there is a good chance that yours will follow suit. If, however, the insurance company refuses to address your claim fairly and to offer you just compensation, your dedicated car accident attorney may advise proceeding to court. Ultimately, the circumstances of your claim and the involved insurance company’s receptivity to the facts will determine whether your case will go to court. The best way to help ensure that you receive the compensation to which you are entitled is to work closely with a formidable car accident attorney throughout the process.
An Experienced Killeen Car Accident Attorney Can Help
If a negligent motorist leaves you injured, Brett Pritchard at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Killeen, Texas, is a practiced car accident attorney who is well-positioned to help you obtain compensation that addresses your full range of physical, financial, and emotional damages. For more information about how we can help, please do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at (254) 781-4222 today.