When you’re injured in a car accident, piles of medical bills and being unable to work can put you in a precarious financial position. It can be tempting to quickly accept a settlement offer from an insurance company, but it’s important to understand that this decision can have long-term consequences. At Thomas, Conrad & Conrad, our car accident lawyers in the Lehigh Valley understand that you may feel stressed and overwhelmed after a crash. We’re here to help and explain why it’s always a good idea to speak with a car accident attorney before you even talk to an insurance adjuster.
Understand Your Rights and Options
After a crash, it’s critical to have a clear understanding of your rights and options you may have for recovering compensation for damages. Without legal advice, you may not be aware of what you may be entitled to receive under the law. A Lehigh Valley car accident attorney can evaluate your case and advise you on the best path forward to recover damages such as medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages specific to your case.
Accurate Valuation of Your Claim
Insurance companies will always try to get away with offering the lowest settlement amounts possible. They may prey on your lack of knowledge about just how much your medical expenses and other losses could affect your financial situation in the future, and pressure you into accepting a settlement offer before you even realize the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.
An experienced Lehigh Valley car accident lawyer understands the factors that must be considered to place an accurate value on your claim. Some of these factors include:
Medical expenses – Injuries sustained in motor vehicle collisions often require extensive, long-term medical treatment. It’s easy to underestimate the future costs for ongoing medical care, nursing services, and rehabilitation, especially for catastrophic injuries like TBI.
Wage loss – If you’ve suffered an injury or disability that affects your ability to earn a living, you deserve to be compensated for future lost wages and loss of earning capacity.
Non-economic damages – Physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic damages can have a long-term impact on your quality of life.
Calculating future medical costs, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering can involve complex formulas. Many different factors must be considered to get to a fair and accurate figure. The best car accident lawyers know how to gather all relevant information and may seek the input of financial and medical experts to determine how much you should receive for all the damages and losses you have suffered. You may be surprised to find that the first settlement offered by the insurance company is a fraction of what a personal injury lawyer determines your claim is worth.
You May Lose Your Right to Recover Additional Compensation if You Accept a Settlement
Accepting a settlement without consulting a car accident lawyer can have long-term consequences that may not be apparent right away. Symptoms of some injuries may not manifest until weeks or months after an accident. If you fail to get medical care, your claim for damages will likely be denied. In addition, accepting a settlement typically requires you to waive your right to pursue additional compensation in a car accident lawsuit, even if you incur more accident-related expenses.
Why You Should Talk to a Car Accident Attorney Before Accepting a Settlement
A car accident attorney can ensure your rights are protected, your claim is accurately valued, and fight to recover the maximum amount of compensation you may be entitled to receive. Your personal injury lawyer helps you navigate legal complexities throughout the process and handles all negotiations with insurers so you and your family can focus on healing and moving on with your lives. Hiring an experienced auto accident attorney can give you the support you need at a difficult time and offer the best chance of a fair settlement or award.
Contact a Lehigh Valley Car Accident Attorney
At Thomas, Conrad & Conrad, we’re dedicated to helping personal injury victims in eastern PA put their lives back together after an accident. To schedule a consultation with one of the best car accident lawyers in the Lehigh Valley, contact us online or call us at 610-867-2900. We offer several locations for your convenience.