Car accidents often lead to unexpected injuries, and those injuries come with expenses. If you were recently in an accident caused by another party, you may have already been contacted by their insurance company. In many cases the insurance company will quickly offer a settlement to try to resolve the case as soon as possible. Their initial offer will rarely be enough to cover the long-term expenses associated with your injury. Here’s what to do if you’ve been contacted by insurance and are unsure of what to do next.
Can You Refuse a Car Insurance Settlement?
You may be wondering: should you accept the first offer for your car insurance claim? The answer is almost always no, especially not before you talk to a Minnesota car accident lawyer. You are free to refuse any offer the other party’s insurance company sends your way, and you certainly should if it’s not enough to cover your accident-related expenses, either now or into the future. Even a second car accident settlement offer may be inadequate. Instead of ending up in a position where you are forced to pay your own medical bills after an accident or have uncompensated wage losses, speak with a Minnesota personal injury lawyer about your best options.
Can You Sue after Accepting an Insurance Settlement?
Insurance companies offer settlements to resolve what they view as the “issue” of your accident and injuries. They want to wrap things up as quickly as possible, without having to pay for attorneys or large settlements. As a result, a car accident settlement will come with many stipulations, including preventing you from suing or requesting more money in the future. This is why it’s so important not to accept a car accident first settlement offer – it’s likely for less money than you will actually need to cover your expenses, or be entitled to receive. Remember that you may have long-term expenses based on your injuries, so you’ll need to estimate those costs before deciding on a fair settlement amount. There are also the additional damages that you may be entitled to receive for your pain and suffering, aside from medical expenses or lost wages.
What to Do If A Settlement Offer Is Inadequate
If you’ve been offered an inadequate settlement by the insurance company, you should work with an attorney to get what you deserve. If you’re simply unable to come to an agreement with the insurance company, you may need to take your case to court and present your evidence to a judge or jury. However, with the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney, most car accident cases are settled out of court. The insurance companies know that accident victims who are working with an attorney are much more likely to understand what they truly deserve, so they may be more reasonable with their offers.
To protect your rights as the victim of a car accident, work with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Minnesota who understands how insurance companies operate. Sieben Edmunds Miller is a personal injury law firm in Eagan with a proven track record of advocating for our clients. Contact our office at (651) 994-6744.
