The Benefits of Waiting Before Accepting a Car Accident Settlement in Riverside
If you are recovering from car accident injuries in Riverside, you might be tempted to accept a settlement sooner rather than later. However, it may be highly beneficial to wait for various reasons.
At the very least, consider speaking with an experienced car accident attorney in Riverside before making any rash decisions. During a consultation at an established car accident law firm like Knez Law Group, LLP, you can discuss your circumstances in more detail. Experienced car accident lawyers like Fred J. Knez can help you understand how much you might be eligible to receive.
Understand What Happens When You Accept a Settlement
First, you should know exactly what happens when you accept a settlement offer. After signing on the dotted line, you forfeit your right to future legal action. With your settlement concluded, there is no way to go back and ask for more money. The defendant provides the settlement without ever admitting fault, and you agree to drop all future claims. In other words, accepting a settlement is a major decision – and it is not something you can revisit. Once it’s done, it’s done.
Insurance Companies Tend to Offer Lowball Settlement Offers at First
You should also know that insurance companies tend to offer low settlement offers at first. These “lowball” offers are essentially industry-standard, and they almost never reflect the true extent of your injuries. Insurance adjusters may hope that you will accept the offer, but they do not seriously think that this money will cover your damages.
Those with no experience in car accident settlement negotiations may feel tempted to accept these lowball offers. To the average plaintiff, $15,000 might seem like a lot of money, for example. However, that same plaintiff could receive five or even 10 times that amount after pushing back and negotiating with help from an experienced attorney.
Your Injuries Could Be Worse Than You Realize
Finally, your injuries could be much worse than you realize. Often, it takes months to determine the true impact of a serious injury. For example, you might have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a car accident.
Perhaps you’re still trying to determine how this brain injury will affect your life. You may have trouble with your short-term memory, speech, and social skills. Only time will tell if you will ever return to normal. After waiting several months, you might learn that your current career path is no longer viable. This may require more compensation than you had initially sought.
Can a Car Accident Law Firm in Riverside Help Me?
Knez Law Group, LLP understands how tempting it can be to simply accept a settlement and move on with your life. But as any car accident attorney will tell you, your life may never be the same after your crash. You might struggle to earn income, and it is important to pursue maximum compensation. To continue this discussion with our experienced car accident lawyers, dial 951-742-7681 today.
Andrew J. Knez earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice from California State University, Fullerton. During his college years, he was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and interned at the College Legal Clinic, where he assisted underprivileged communities in obtaining affordable legal services. Mr. Knez credits this experience with fostering his appreciation for the law and its positive impact on society. Additionally, during college, Mr. Knez worked as a paralegal, gaining hands-on experience in civil litigation. Learn more here.