Collisions involving trucks often result in severe injuries, especially to pedestrians and smaller vehicle occupants. You may suffer broken bones or a traumatic brain injury (TBI), among other life-changing injuries.
In the aftermath of such a crash, you may be facing an extended stay in the hospital, lost wages and other secondary effects of the injuries on your quality of life. An early settlement offer from an insurer may seem heaven-sent in such a situation, but it is advisable not to rush into accepting it. Here is what you need to know.
An early offer may not be in your best interests
Insurance companies are in business at the end of the day. An early offer may be informed by the fact that your claim is worth much more, and the insurer is better off if you accept it. Remember, agreeing to a settlement offer releases the other party from further liability, essentially closing your claim.
Once your claim is settled, you cannot reopen it to get additional compensation if your condition worsens. As a result, you will have to deal with any unexpected issues on your own if you accept the insurer’s initial offer.
What you need to do to protect your interests
Getting a clear picture of the damages you suffered in the crash is the first thing you should do. These include the present and future economic and non-economic damages. Establishing the value of your claim and what you deserve in compensation will help you avoid lowball offers that do not measure up.
Most importantly, it is best to seek experienced legal guidance to protect your interests. Truck accident claims can get complicated due to the severity of injuries and the likelihood that you will be facing off with established trucking companies and their insurers. It is not a good idea to go it alone.