If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you very likely are not operating at your highest level. After all, you have your injuries to contend with – not to mention the fact that you probably have no idea how best to proceed. Many, many people find that the easiest path forward is simply allowing the insurance company to do its job and cover their damages. While this tactic sounds reasonable enough, there is a decent chance that it is not in your best interest or in the best interest of your claim.
Number 1 Mistake: Relying Solely on the Insurance Company’s Discretion
If you have been injured, you are probably not in the right frame of mind to do all the work necessary to figure out the best steps forward. As such, it is not difficult to understand why you might allow the insurance representative to take over for you. There are, however, some important facts to keep in mind, including:
- You are not the insurance company’s client – the person who injured you is.
- The insurance company is motivated by large profits, which often translate into reduced settlement offers and even outright claim rejections.
- The insurance company is unlikely to assess the full extent of your damages and what those damages can mean into your future.
- If the insurance company makes a speedy offer, it is probably motivated to do so because it has determined that your damages are likely to expand with time – once their true nature is better understood.
- It is very difficult to accurately calculate the extent of a serious injury from the outset. It will take time to receive the medical care you need and for your medical providers to supply their expert opinions on the matter.
In other words, there are any number of reasons why relying solely on the insurance company is often a mistake in personal injury cases.
Your Personal Injury Case
If you have been seriously injured by someone else’s negligence, your damages are likely to be considerable and may include:
- Medical expenses that range from emergency transportation and care through surgery and aftercare and on to treatment from doctors, specialists, and therapists
- Lost hours and wages on the job that can extend to a diminished earning potential and even to the death of your career goals
- The pain and suffering – including the emotional pain – associated with the traumatic accident that left you injured
Any one of these categories can lead to extensive damages in and of itself, and in combination, the damages can be difficult to overestimate. Your future and your ability to overcome the hardships you have endured hinge upon you obtaining the compensation to which you are entitled. This makes the matter far too important to leave to chance – or to the insurance company – alone.