Personal Injury Lawyer Erwin TN
5 Things to Consider Before Accepting a Personal Injury Settlement Offer
Tennessee Accident Lawyer
Slip and falls, car accidents, and other serious personal injuries can be life-changing, as they can result in life-long injuries and disabilities. Those involved in debilitating accidents could spend days, weeks, or months in the hospital, lose their job, and suffer other significant damages. Further, a tragic injury could lead to a wrongful death, leaving loved ones devastated and financially compromised.
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence, we understand that there is no way to undo what happened; however, you can hire experienced Erwin personal injury lawyer Mark Hurt to tenaciously fight to hold all responsible parties accountable and get the maximum compensation possible.
How Much Does an Experienced Erwin Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
When you hire The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, you will not pay a fee unless we are successful in recovering compensation on your behalf. Further, we do not require any upfront payments and advance all litigation expenses while a case is ongoing (typically covered by a settlement or jury verdict).
Will I Miss Out on Compensation If I Don’t Take an Insurance Settlement Offer?
No! Many personal injury victims settle for the first offer they receive out of fear they may not receive another offer. Unfortunately, many ailments are undiscoverable for some time, meaning if an initial settlement is accepted before a condition is diagnosed, the compensation may not sufficiently cover medical care. Consequently, a victim could be left shouldering the costs to care for a long-term injury.
Insurance companies and defendants’ lawyers are well aware of this fact, which is why they often attempt to convince victims to quickly settle after an accident, hoping to avoid paying for additional injuries. If you were injured in an accident, hiring an experienced Erwin, TN personal injury lawyer could help ensure this does not happen to you.
5 Things You Should Know Before Accepting a Personal Injury Settlement Offer
No matter how tempting a personal injury settlement offer may appear, it is critical for injured victims to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer before accepting a settlement. Insurance companies are in the business of making money; as such, they are looking to pay victims the least amount possible for their injuries. While a quick settlement can be appealing, in most instances an experienced injury lawyer can get an injured client significantly more than they can on their own, even after attorneys’ fees are taken into account.
For example, what if you sustained more serious injuries from an accident than your initial medical report specified? What if a loved one dies from pain and suffering a few weeks after an accident? Early settlements may benefit an individual in the short term, but they can have severe and long-lasting ramifications.
The following are five things you should consider before accepting a personal injury settlement offer:
1. Personal Injury Settlement Agreements Are Final and Binding
Most settlement agreements come with a release of liability, meaning an insurance company will no longer be responsible for expenses outside the settlement agreement (once it is signed). Consequently, a victim cannot ask for more money in the future (nor file a lawsuit) even if the injuries turn out to be more serious than initially diagnosed. Lack of complete information is one of the primary dangers of an early settlement.
2. You Can Reject a Settlement Offer and Still Get Compensation
Insurance companies usually pressure victims into signing an early personal injury settlement offer, often before they receive sufficient medical care or speak to a personal injury lawyer. Unfortunately, individuals are often convinced that they will be left with nothing if they do not settle immediately, especially if they suffer from injuries or post-traumatic stress. At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we know that a first offer is usually not a final offer; instead, it is merely the first step in the negotiation process.
It is essential to recognize that you have the right to reject a settlement offer, but insurance companies will never tell you this. By rejecting an offer, you may have significantly better chances of securing a more lucrative settlement, as insurers typically try to avoid going to trial at all costs.
Experienced Erwin personal injury lawyer Mark Hurt understands how insurance companies operate, and he is never reluctant to fight at trial for the maximum possible amount if an insurance company is unwilling to provide just and full compensation.
3. Personal Injury Expenses Can Change Your Future Financial Status
When an individual sustains a serious injury, it can affect current job prospects, often putting them out of work for some time. Critical injuries could even lead to a permanent disability and significant lost future income.
With medical and other bills piling, the loss of income can affect every facet of a person’s life, especially if they have a family with young children. Before accepting a settlement, an injured victim must consider how their injuries will affect current and future employment opportunities. Damages in personal injury cases are not merely designed to cover medical expenses; rather, compensation for lost current and future income may also be awarded.
4. Personal Injuries May Be More Serious Than They First Appear and Could Last a Lifetime
It can take some time before the full extent of a person’s injuries following an accident is diagnosed. In many cases, symptoms may not materialize for months or even years. This could be due to many reasons, such as:
- More extensive treatment required for the injuries than anticipated.
- Primary health conditions that delay the healing process.
- Complications and secondary infections.
Before accepting a settlement, it is critical to understand how injuries will affect mobility, overall health, and quality of life.
5. The Total Cost of a Tennessee Accident Is Usually More Than Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
Many personal injury settlement offers include out-of-pocket expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, and damage repairs. However, they usually do not cover the full amount of the damage. If you were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, it is critical to provide evidence of all current and future losses to ensure full compensation. These damages may include:
- Vehicle repairs
- Current Lost Income
- Future Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Alternate Transportation Costs
- Costs of Future Treatment, Rehabilitation, & Therapy
- Loss of Enjoyment
- Cost for Replacement Services (such as for shopping, child-rearing, cooking, driving, and cleaning)
- Loss of Companionship (in the case of wrongful death)
It can be challenging to determine the full compensation to which one may be entitled; however, as an experienced Erwin personal injury attorney with over two decades of experience, Mark Hurt can assess the facts of your case and provide guidance regarding the compensation which you may be able to seek.
Call Our Office to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation!
Accident victims without legal representation are at a disadvantage when dealing with insurance companies. At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we understand that suffering a debilitating injury can be trying. Still, despite feeling impatient or anxious about medical bills, it is critical to consider all settlement offers thoughtfully.
Before accepting any settlement, call our office to schedule a free consultation with Tennessee personal injury lawyer Mark Hurt. He can explain your legal options and tenaciously fight to get you the maximum compensation possible.
