Accidents happen, and the general rule of thumb is that if it was a minor accident, such as a fender bender or minor collision, you should expect an offer for a quick settlement. Car accident claim settlement should be accepted or rejected as soon as possible. Failure to do so will result in many inconveniences, including missing out on claim compensation, higher expenses, and extra hassle. No standard rule states when and how much money you should receive in your settlement offer. It all depends on the severity of your injuries, how fast it takes you to recover, how well you can prove the accident was caused by someone else, and a series of other factors.
How to Know If Your Car Accident Settlement Offer is Good or Not
1. Consult a Lawyer
Before accepting or rejecting an offer, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer. He will be able to tell you what the accident is worth and whether it is good or not. Lawyers usually charge their clients a fee on a contingency basis. It means that they will not receive any money unless they win your case or are awarded by the court.
2. Get the Medical Opinion
You need to prove that you were injured to get a reasonable settlement. Get a medical opinion from a good and reliable doctor or an expert. Make sure they are genuine, or he might give you a false medical report to get the insurance company off the hook.
3. Gather Evidence
Gather all the available evidence, including photographs, witness statements, police reports, and any other information related to the accident. The higher the seriousness level of your injuries, the more evidence you need to get from a reliable source.
4. Get the Insurance Information
Your insurance company can tell you everything you need to know about your claim settlement offer, either outright or through an agent. Once you get your information, ensure everything is in order, like the number of medical bills, the amount of money they will pay, and what percentage they will have in the claim settlement.
5. Look into the History of the Insurance Company
It would help if you looked into the history of your insurance company. It will make sure that you will not be scammed and that they are not a bad company. If they offer you a $10,000 settlement and their reputation is good, the offer might be worth it.
If there is any mistake in your report or medical records, the insurance company may reject it, might find that you did not get your injury for real, and will not be able to compensate you for your injuries. The way to avoid this problem is to get your medical records from a well-respected doctor.
In most cases, if your injury is minor and there are no other miseries or complications, you may not have to pay a single penny for any claim settlement. The insurance company will compensate you with one hundred thousand or a hundred thousand dollars for an out-of-court payment.