The desire of car accident victims to quickly settle their claims with insurance adjusters is understandable. An injured person may want to focus on healing rather than fighting a protracted legal battle. In most cases, however, quickly settling a car accident claim can leave victims without the compensation they deserve.
Patience is a legal virtue
One of the main reasons not to accept a quick settlement offer is that you may not fully understand your rights to compensation before you have discussed the facts of your case with a qualified personal injury attorney. A quick settlement may not to take into account the following facts:
- You don’t yet know the extent of your injuries, including physical and mental injuries, before you’ve received proper medical consultation
- You may require ongoing therapy or rehabilitation services
- You may miss significant time at work because of your injuries
- You may realize only some time after the accident that you have suffered additional losses, such as damage to clothing or personal property such as your cell phone, car seats, or other items in your car
Substantiation trumps exaggeration
Taking the time to properly pursue your claim does not in any way mean that you should exaggerate your injuries. Rather, you should spend time with your attorney documenting your injuries with reliable testimony and strong medical support. You should keep a copy of any medical records that you obtain after the accident, and you should be sure to attend all of your follow-up medical appointments.
If you were involved in a car accident, you should discuss the facts of your case with a North Carolina personal injury lawyer before settling your claim. The legal team at Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C. is prepared to fight for your right to just compensation.