Negotiating a settlement with an insurance company is a daunting process. You want to think you can trust the insurance company when going back and forth with negotiations, but that thought could always be in the back of your mind of “should I get a second opinion?” Should you speak with your own attorney before you accept a settlement offer?
We have asked attorney, Alaina Sullivan, about getting a second opinion in this case. Here is her response:
“But They Have Been So Nice”
While the negotiation process may have gone smoothly and the insurance people may have been willing to work with you, that does not mean they are on your side. Quite the opposite actually. The insurance company has their interests to protect at the end of the day.
The insurance adjuster is an employee of a company whose goal is to protect their money as much as possible. Therefore, it may seem like he or she is fighting to give you the best settlement possible, but odds are, you may be getting low-balled to some extent.
Friend in Your Corner
It is for this reason that it is good to have a friend in your corner. Having an attorney review your settlement can ensure that you are being treated fairly. Personal injury attorneys have years of experience in settling car accident cases and are well-versed in the practices of insurance companies.
That professional experience will give you a sense of relief and even take some of the burden off of your shoulders.
Are There Any Holes in Your Settlement?
An attorney will also be able to review your settlement offer as well as your claim and see if you are missing anything at all that you could be entitled to receive. For instance, there may be some injuries of which you were not fully aware or damages you had not even considered.
An attorney will be able to review the offer to see if there are any "holes", or missing items that you can claim for, in your settlement. It is possible no holes may exist, and all it will take is a free consultation to get that extra reassurance.
Signing on the Dotted Line
Once you sign your name to the settlement offer, you release your claim and any right to seek additional compensation. That threat alone should be enough to make you want to verify that the insurance company isn't sending you an insufficient or unfair offer.
Otherwise you would lose the right to see additional damages if your injury gets worse or if the settlement did not cover all of your possible damages. Get the second opinion. You will not regret it in the end.
Contact an Attorney Today
Whenever you have been in a car accident and are unsure of the process or what to do, it is always recommended you contact an attorney today to discuss your case if you do not currently have a lawyer or have any questions.
A licensed personal injury attorney will be able to evaluate your case and determine if you have a claim against the other party’s insurance company. To receive the compensation for your medical bills, property damages, and pain and suffering, you should speak with a personal injury attorney in your area today.
