I Was Offered A Settlement For Signing A Bodily Injury Release. Should I Sign Or Wait For More Money?
One of the biggest questions people have when they are hit by a car as a pedestrian is whether or not they should settle with the insurance company. This is a far more complicated question than it appears on the surface. Insurance companies have years of practice in making settlement offers appear better than they actually are. Therefore, most victims benefit from the help of someone who understands how insurance companies really operate and the tricks they sometimes use to confuse the issues surrounding a pedestrian accident. A personal injury attorney may be able to help in this regard.
What Happens When A Pedestrian Is Hit By A Car?
In some cases, pedestrian accident victims are not offered any money at all by the insurance company that covers the driver. This is often the case if there is any question about the pedestrian’s fault in the accident. For example, if the pedestrian is intoxicated at the time of the crash, the insurance company may assert that the accident was completely the victim’s fault.
However, in most cases the insurance company will offer some amount of compensation to a pedestrian accident victim. This is often done in the spirit of “being fair,” at least according to the insurance company. The insurance representatives will usually present this settlement to the victim with statements like, the company wants to “do the right thing” and the victim should “take this generous offer.” It is often implied that the victim is getting more than he or she should recover given the facts of the accident.
Am I Getting a Good Settlement Deal?
However, just because an insurance company offers what it claims is a “good deal” to the victim, does not necessarily make it so. A good settlement offer includes enough money to pay for all medical expenses, as well as other costs such as pain, suffering, lost wages, and future loss of abilities.
To determine if you are getting a good settlement deal, it is usually best to consult a pedestrian accident attorney. Your attorney will review and calculate the settlement agreement and help you decide if it meets your needs and covers the expenses you have incurred.
