If you are injured in a car crash or workplace accident, you’re probably hoping that the injury case will be swift and allow you to collect the compensation you deserve. Then comes the seemingly good news that your employer or the other person’s insurance company wants to come to a settlement agreement. Since they seem to want to get things settled, you don’t need a lawyer, do you?
A lot of people mistakenly believe that they do not need a lawyer if the insurance company wants to settle and pay you out, but this just simply isn’t true. We explain why you need a lawyer even if the insurance company wants to settle in today’s blog.
Lawyering Up Before A Settlement
The single biggest reason why you need a lawyer after an injury, even in the event that the other side wants to settle, is because getting compensation is not the ultimate goal of an injury case. Your number one goal should be receiving fair and complete compensation for the totality of your injuries. It’s great that the insurance company wants to cover your immediate medical expenses, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the long term healthcare costs or the potential wage losses this injury could cause for you down the road. It’s not just about winning an award, it’s about getting complete compensation for all aspects of your injury, and that’s where a lawyer comes in.
A personal injury or workers’ compensation lawyer can help develop a claim demand that puts appropriate financial figures to all compensable aspects of your case. It may be easier to add up your wage loss benefits or your surgical bills, but it’s much tougher to come up with an accurate figure for potential future medical expenses, pain and suffering, or other emotional aspects of an injury. Know that the insurance company is not on your side and that they are interested in protecting their bottom line. So while they may act like they are on your side, know that they are trying to limit how much compensation you receive from them. So if you take their compensation estimates at face value, you’re probably only shortchanging yourself.
Not only can a lawyer help come up with your own figures, but they can ensure the accuracy of the insurance company’s assessment of the situation and their financial figures. For example, if they undervalued your disability rating or overvalued your fault in the accident, your claim may be tens of thousands of dollars or more short of what you are rightfully owed.
At the end of the day, do not assume that you’re going to get a fair offer simply because an insurance representative reached out and said they wanted to settle so you can get your money quickly. A rightful paycheck later is better than a smaller paycheck sooner, so you absolutely need a lawyer if you are filing for compensation, even if the other side wants to settle.
At Hey Workers, we work hard to ensure our injured clients get what they deserve and more. If you’re considering legal action or are in the midst of an injury lawsuit, reach out to our team to see how we can help you. For more information, contact our office today.
