Never Settle An Insurance Claim Without An Attorney

If you were injured in an accident, such as a car crash, medical bills, and lost earnings can pile up quickly. It is understandable to be tempted to settle your case quickly without an attorney, but this is almost always a bad idea. Learn more about insurance claims and attorneys in this article, and talk to our insurance disputes attorney in Rockford for more information.

Why Negotiating With The Insurance Company Is Usually A Bad Idea

After an accident, you probably are injured, stressed, and possibly short on money. If these three things are true, negotiating directly with the negligent party’s insurance company is rarely in your best interest. The insurance company will know you do not have an attorney, and they will usually try to take advantage of you.

For example, the insurance company might contact you within a few hours of the accident and offer to cover your medical bills. Their primary purpose is to get you to sign off on a settlement for a minimal amount before hiring an attorney. A few thousand dollars is a lot of money, especially when you are hurt, but most injured parties do not know that their case could be worth much more.

Also, there is no way you or anyone can know the value of your case until the full extent of your injuries is known. It is almost impossible to know the severity of injury after the accident. In some cases, it might take months or even years to understand the severity of the injuries and what is a fair settlement.

Your personal injury attorney is experienced in negotiating with insurance companies and knows all their tricks. They also have a good idea of what your injuries are worth, including how much compensation you could potentially receive for pain and suffering.

Other Benefits Of Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney

There are many other things that your attorney will do for you during the claim process. For example, they will thoroughly investigate the accident and claim, determining every possible source of compensation, including every relevant insurance policy in effect. They also may work with accident reconstruction experts to determine liability and speak to your doctors to determine a fair settlement for your injuries. A well-developed and researched case usually settles for more than one that has not been thoroughly investigated.

Second, your attorney can guide you through the complex legal processes ahead. Many accident cases take months or even years, and the law is complicated. Most people who are not attorneys need to have plenty of guidance regarding their case and can advise you if it is best to settle or go to trial.

Contact Our Insurance Disputes Attorney In Rockford

If you have been injured in an accident caused by someone’s negligence, you may be able to file a lawsuit for damages. Usually, it is in your best interest to hire an attorney to negotiate with the insurance company. Your attorney also can threaten to file a lawsuit, which can help with negotiations. Please contact our insurance disputes attorney in Rockford at Fisk & Monteleone Ltd. at (815) 962-0044 for help with your case.