Settling an injury claim soon after an accident may be a mistake you’ll need to live with for a long time says Philadelphia car accident injury attorney Rand Spear.
We hear and see it every day in our offices. Remorse and regret by people who suffered injuries caused by the negligence of others who settled with insurance companies before talking to a car accident attorney. It varies from case to case but generally these people thought the worst was behind them, they didn’t want to deal with the issue, signed on the bottom line and financially they’re left out in the cold. Don’t settle an injury claim with an insurance company before talking to an attorney warns Philadelphia car accident lawyer Rand Spear.
One way we communicate with the public is through our website and people contact us every day. One woman recently wrote in and told us about a car accident:
- She was rear ended her car was totaled as a result.
- She lost consciousness after accident, went to the local ER and thinks she suffered a concussion. The ER staff told her they found nothing serious on a CT scan and she would feel sore for a day or so and would start to improve after.
- The other driver’s insurance company called her the next day to settle her injury claim. She assumed what the ER staff told her was correct and she would have felt the worst of it by that point. She was still confused and medicated but accepted a settlement of $753.00.
- Four days later she woke up with crippling back pain. She has a very physical job and worried about the problems this could at work.
- She asked if she was stuck with the settlement with the insurance company.
This is a classic example of a good person making a bad choice when it comes to an injury caused by an accident. Without knowing all the details this person probably is stuck with this settlement adds Rand Spear the accident lawyer. However, it’s possible, depending on the facts of the case that other drivers or other parties may also be at fault so she still may not be totally out of luck.
Here are some issues in this situation,
- She was rear ended so the other driver is at fault. The only issue to be resolved is the damages.
- She lost consciousness which may be a symptom of something serious. It looks like she never got a definite diagnosis or underwent additional testing to confirm she had a concussion or anything else.
- The insurance company wasted no time, called her the next day, probably hoping she was medicated, confused and wanted some quick cash so they could close the file.
- It took some time for more symptoms to present and as a result she may lose time at work and if the injury is serious enough, maybe so much time she’ll lose her job.
If you’re involved in an accident don’t say anything to an insurance company. If you’re contacted be polite, be professional and be firm: I’m not discussing this with you, I’m not agreeing with anything right now, I’m going to talk to a car accident lawyer first. Get a name and contact information, thank them for the call and hang up.
You should contact us as soon as possible after the accident so we can tell you about your rights and possibly start investigating the accident but we don’t normally race to the courthouse to file a lawsuit. We let some time pass so we can get the facts of the accident and understand its full impact on you (the harm it’s done to you physically, emotionally and financially) before negotiating with an insurance company, let alone filing a lawsuit. A quick settlement could cost you far more than you gain.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident, get in touch with a Philadelphia car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer can help you protect your rights and explore the options available to you in your case.
Call Rand Spear today at 888-373-4LAW today to speak to a Philadelphia vehicle accident injury lawyer about your case.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form