Should You Accept The Insurance Company Settlement For A Car Wreck?

By Author: Leonard Simmons
Total Articles: 152
Comment this article

Should you call an auto accident attorney after a vehicle crash, or accept an insurance company’s settlement? That is one of the first questions a car crash victim asks. Let’s look at both sides.

In many states, drivers are required to carry personal injury protection. PIP insurance pays for a limited amount of medical care and lost wages up to the policy’s limit, no matter who caused the accident. PIP, also known as “No Fault” insurance, has helped reduce the number of uninsured motorists on roadways by making coverage more affordable. It also guarantees every driver immediate medical treatment after a car wreck.
Under PIP policies, insurance companies pay 80 percent of all “reasonable expenses” for “necessary” medical services. PIP may also pay some portion of lost wages and benefits. Any more coverage must come from your own or the other driver’s insurance.
Insurance companies may persuade you to accept immediate payouts for short-term medical care. They may ask you sign a statement, or give a recorded statement, about what caused the crash.
Personal injury lawyers advise their ...
... clients not to sign or agree to anything. If you sign a statement or talk to an insurer in a recorded phone call, what you say could be used against you if medical issues crop up later and you want to be compensated for them.
The shock of an accident that sends adrenaline through your body can trigger memory loss and mask the full extent of injuries. It is not uncommon that new symptoms can appear much later after a car crash. However, insurance has limits.
With personal protection policies, an injured person’s own car insurance only covers a maximum of $10,000 total for both medical bills and lost income. A victim who needs more must obtain the balance from his or her health insurance and the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Insurance companies can be notoriously difficult for an individual to fight. They are, after all, businesses whose stakeholders want it to turn a profit – just like any other business.
A knowledgeable car accident law firm who focuses on personal injury can help. He or she can navigate the system and seek the maximum amount needed for hospital bills; ongoing treatment; recurring medical issues resulting from the accident; past, present and future lost wages; as well as the pain and suffering suffered by victims and their families.

Want to learn more about a car accident law firm?

Get more information: http://www.tenlaw.org