If you find yourself coping with the aftermath of a serious San Francisco car accident, you might be tempted to handle things on your own and to close out this chapter of your life as soon as possible.
A settlement might be presented to you at the early stages of your car accident case. Being emotionally fraught, exhausted, and overwhelmed makes an offer on the table something you’ll consider seriously.
But if your injuries are still relatively new, how will you know whether or not an offer fairly represents the toll the accident has had on your body? How do you know if it will be enough to compensate for your medical bills and other expenses now and in the future?
One study from the Insurance Research Council found that people who tried to represent themselves in settlement talks got far less than their counterparts who hired an experienced personal injury lawyer. Those represented by an attorney walked away with an average payment 350% higher.
Knowing the common tactics of the insurance company can protect you from backing yourself into a corner too quickly:
- Don’t give a recorded or written statement to the insurance company
- Don’t accept a settlement offer until it’s been reviewed, in full, by your lawyer
- Don’t be afraid to push for more communication if you think the company is unreasonably delaying your claim
- If your claim is denied or your injuries are minimized, be prepared to pass all communication about the case to your lawyer instead
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, it’s easy to feel like your entire world has been changed as you see things through the lens as an accident victim. Our San Francisco personal injury lawyers can help you navigate this difficult situation.