Tips to Ensure That You Never Settle for Less Than Your Case Is Worth
If you have been hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation. But getting a full and fair settlement from the insurance company may be harder than you think. Even when liability is straightforward, an insurance adjuster may try to downplay your damages, delay your payout, or deny your claim altogether.
At Westlake Injury Law, we know how insurance companies operate. We work hard to ensure that car accident victims and their families receive the money they are entitled to from all liable parties. If you have been injured in a car crash, contact our office at (805) 338-6880 to schedule a free consultation.
Follow these tips if you want to receive the maximum recovery on your case:
1. Do Not Make Any Statements
Your statements can and will be used against you. Do not make any recorded or written statements to an insurance adjuster without first speaking to an attorney. It can be easy to get your words twisted or have a comment taken out of context if you do not have legal representation.
Statements that you provide may be used to prove that you were either partially to blame for the accident or that your injuries are not severe. Avoiding making statements can help ensure that your claim is not denied.
2. Do Not Sign Anything
You should never sign anything without having it reviewed by an attorney. An attorney can help make sure that you are not signing away your right to compensation or inadvertently admitting fault.
3. Never Accept the Insurance Company’s Valuation
One of the biggest mistakes that most car accident victims make is accepting the insurance company’s valuation of their damages. Insurance companies, hoping to avoid lengthy litigation, will often give low settlement offers. Adjusters hope that unrepresented clients will either not know the true value of their case or will feel pressured to resolve the case quickly.
At Westlake Injury Law, we recently secured an over $800,000 settlement for a car accident victim whose case was originally valued by the insurance company at $17,000. Attorney Russ Ercolani fought tirelessly to prove the true extent of the client’s injuries including the existence of a pre-existing condition that was exacerbated in the accident.
4. Get Proof of Your Injuries
If the insurance settlement offer is too low to cover all of your medical expenses or expected damages, it may be because you failed to provide sufficient proof of your injuries. Collect evidence of the harm caused by the accident including any medical records showing a pre-existing injury or condition that may have been made worse in the collision.
5. Get the Legal Representation You Deserve
Finally, without legal representation, you will likely end up settling your claim for substantially less than it is worth. An experienced attorney can properly value your case including calculating your pain and suffering, loss of future wages, and other critical damages.
Get Real Results for Your Auto Accident Injuries
Were you injured in a car accident in Ventura County or the surrounding areas? Contact our office at (805) 338-6880 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Our legal team will help maximize your damages and ensure you get the full and fair settlement you deserve.
