Three Questions To Ask Before Accepting An Insurance Settlement

After a truck accident or any other type of motor vehicle accident, it is not unusual to be contacted by the negligent party’s insurance company and offered a settlement before you have a chance to even think about talking to a lawyer.

You may still be in the hospital. You may already be feeling the financial crunch of medical bills and missed work. While the insurance adjuster may seem trustworthy and you may be tempted to get this all over with, there are three important questions that you should consider before signing on the dotted line and accepting a settlement.

Do I Know How Much Medical Treatment I Will Need?

Particularly in cases involving severe injuries, it can be difficult for even the most experienced doctor to immediately predict how much treatment you may need. If even the doctors are not absolutely certain about the number of surgeries or the amount of physical therapy you will need, how can the insurance adjuster possibly know how much compensation to offer to cover the full extent of your treatment?

Do I Know How Much Work I Will Miss?

Naturally, you are eager to move forward with your life, and that means returning to work. But recovery takes time. Frequently, accident victims attempt to return to their jobs, only to find that they have not reached full recovery. It is important that you do not underestimate your recovery time, and that the insurance adjuster does not either.

Am I Being Compensated For My Pain And Suffering?

In addition to economic damages for medical bills and wage loss, you may also be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering you have experienced because of the negligent driver’s actions. Most people do not understand how to put a dollar amount to the pain and suffering they have experienced, and insurance adjusters may take advantage of that fact to minimize this aspect of compensation.

Be aware that there is no rush. No matter what the insurance adjuster says, you do not have to accept the settlement for a truck accident or other motor vehicle crash without thinking about it and discussing it with a trusted attorney who can help you determine whether or not it will meet all of your financial needs.