A good car accident settlement offer covers all of your economic and non-economic damages, such as the cost of your medical care and recovery, your future medical needs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damages.
For minor car accidents, a good settlement can range from $10,000 to $25,0000. For severe accidents involving catastrophic injuries, a good settlement can be in the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.
The money you receive after an accident can help you get your life back on track. A Charlotte car accident lawyer can maximize your compensation and make sure you are getting the settlement you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Settlement?
In almost all cases, you will get a better settlement when you hire a lawyer to represent you for your car accident claim. This is especially true in cases involving severe injuries. There are a few good reasons for this.
Low Initial Settlement Offers
An insurance company may offer you a settlement soon after your accident, but there is a good chance that the offer is lower than what you need. The insurance company knows this, but they are hoping you don’t.
If you accept their offer, you will waive your rights to future compensation. The insurance company will be off the hook for a fraction of what they owe you, and you will still need help paying for your expenses.
A skilled attorney can advise you if an offer is fair and can help you avoid making many common mistakes. This is tough to do on your own, as most people don’t have extensive knowledge of insurance laws and practices.
Accurate Assessment of Your Damages
Your attorney will not only advise you on what offers to avoid; they can also assess your compensatory damages and come up with a maximum compensation amount.
While every case is different, to arrive at what is considered a good settlement offer for a car accident, they may consider:
- Your medical expenses, such as the cost of doctor’s visits, emergency room care, surgeries, specialists, physical therapy, and medications
- Your future medical care outlook, such as the cost of ongoing care, extensive therapy, and long-term medications
- Your lost wages as a result of your inability to work due to your injury
- Future lost earnings
- Property damages, such as repairing your vehicle
Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment could be part of your compensation. Your attorney can advise you if they apply to your case.
Negotiations With Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies is one of the most stressful parts of seeking compensation after an accident. Remember that insurance companies have lawyers on their side whose job is to ensure that they come out on top in most interactions.
You are likely good at many things in life, but extensive insurance negotiations probably isn’t one of them. Your lawyer can negotiate for your settlement on your behalf so you can concentrate on recovery.
When you hire an attorney, you have a partner who knows the law and knows how to deal with insurance companies. You don’t have to take on powerful insurance companies on your own.
For a free legal consultation, call (877) 333-1000
How to Ensure You Get a Good Car Accident Settlement
The days and weeks after a car accident can be confusing. However, this is an important period. There are a few things you can do after a car accident to give yourself the best chance of getting what is considered a good settlement offer for a car accident.
Get Medical Care
If you didn’t go to the emergency room after your accident, go and seek care as soon as possible after the crash. Then, follow your doctor’s directions. Most importantly, this ensures your medical issues are addressed. It also establishes a record of care for your claim.
Keep Records
Hold on to copies of all receipts and invoices that show the expenses that resulted from your accident. This includes things like doctors’ bills, pay stubs that show lost wages, car repair invoices, and any other costs you’ve incurred.
Write a Statement
One thing your attorney will do is investigate your accident and determine what happened and who is liable. You can help by writing a narrative of the accident while the details are still fresh in your mind.
Take Notes
Take daily notes on how the accident has impacted your life, your family, and your household. In some cases, your attorney can use this to determine if it is possible to pursue non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Contact an Attorney
The best way to ensure you get a good settlement offer for a car accident is to hire an experienced lawyer.
An attorney can calculate your damages, negotiate with the insurance company, and help you take the right steps to get the money you need after your accident. In almost all cases, you will see a better settlement with the help of a lawyer than if you try to settle with the insurance company by yourself.
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Learn More About Car Accident Settlements
In order to get what is considered a good settlement offer for a car accident, consult with an attorney who understands how to calculate your damages. Never assume an insurance company has you covered by their initial settlement offer.
We would like to trust insurance companies to do the right things, but they are businesses that are looking out for their bottom lines. When you hire a skilled attorney after an auto accident, you have an ally who is looking out for you.
At DeMayo Law Offices, we have recovered over $1 billion in judgments and settlements for people just like you. Contact us today and find out how we can help you get the compensation you deserve for your car accident settlement.
Call or text (877) 333-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form