Have you been injured in a car accident? If so, an insurance adjuster may have already approached you about settling your insurance claim. If an insurance company knows that it is liable for your claim and wants to limit that liability, it may offer you a quick, low settlement offer to get rid of your claim. It may be more cost-effective for the company to pay a little now instead of paying a lot more later.

Do not fall for this insurance tactic. Before you accept the first settlement offer for your injury claim, you need to know these three important facts about car accident injury claims:

The Adjuster Does Not Work for You

The insurance adjuster works for the insurance company. The adjuster’s job is to protect the insurance company’s best interest. He is not looking out for you to make sure you receive the maximum amount of compensation available for your claim. Therefore, an adjuster is not going to tell you that the first settlement offer may be extremely low compared to the actual value of your claim. Instead of accepting the first settlement offer, talk to an Indianapolis personal injury attorney first to make sure the offer is fair and just based on the facts of your case.

Once You Accept the Offer, You Cannot File Additional Claims

Another reason to offer a quick settlement offer is to prevent you from realizing the severity of your injuries and the extent of your losses. If you accept the settlement, you release the insurance company from any future liability for your injuries, damages, and losses. Even if you discover you need additional surgery or will have a permanent impairment, the insurance company is off the hook if you have settled the claim.

Always wait until you complete your medical treatment and your doctor issues an impairment rating. Only after completing treatment will you know the full extent of your damages and losses.

You May be Entitled to Additional Compensation from Other Sources

The insurance company may tell you that it will pay the policy limits to settle your claim because that is all you can receive for your claim. However, you may have claims against other parties, including an underinsured claim against your insurance provider. Rushing to accept the first settlement offer, even for policy limits, without considering all options for recovering compensation for an auto accident claim could impair your ability to pursue other legal causes of actions. It is always best to consult with an attorney before you accept any settlement offers to ensure you are not jeopardizing any other claims you may have regarding the auto accident.

Do I Need an Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorney to Evaluate My Auto Accident Claim?

Yes, you do! An insurance company may not be honest with you, but our Indiana personal injury lawyers only have your best interest at heart. Our PBAR legal team will review your case for free and advise you of your legal option for recovering compensation for an injury claim.

We can assist you with various aspects of your injury case including:

• Investigating the accident to identify all liable parties and gather evidence
• Handle all communications with insurance providers
• Explain your legal rights and options under Indiana’s personal injury laws
• Calculate the true value of your injury claim
• Provide assistance, support, and guidance during each step of the claims process
• Negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company
• File a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary, if the insurance company acts in bad faith

Contact Poynter & Bucheri to schedule a free consultation with an Indianapolis personal injury attorney in your area by calling 1-800-265-9881 or (317) 780-8000.