At Maison Law, our attorneys represent you through every aspect of your case, from initial negotiations to trial if it is needed. We do not want you to miss out on any financial opportunities after one of the most difficult things that you have ever been through. Our attorneys will aggressively fight to ensure that you receive fair compensation for a wide array of damages. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for a completely free legal consultation to get started.
What is Your Claim Actually Worth?
Determining that a settlement offer is actually fair depends on what your claim is worth. With the help of an experienced lawyer, you can determine what your case is worth. Here are some factors to keep in mind when you are determining the value of your claim:
- How severe your injuries are and your medical treatment
- The medical treatment you will require in the future
- Whether or not you are responsible for the accident in any way
- Any lost wages you have suffered or will suffer in the future
- Pain and suffering
- The strength of the evidence available to prove your claim
After all of these factors are considered, you must ask yourself if the settlement offer you were given is fair or not.
If You Decide to Reject the First Offer
The insurance company typically makes a low settlement offer right off the bat. Though it may be tempting to accept this offer so that you can start paying your medical bills and other expenses, it is important that you never accept the first offer. The insurance company intentionally makes a low offer in the hopes that you will accept it, causing them to not have to pay so much for your damages.
If the offer is much too low, you have every right to decline it and state in writing why you are doing so. You and your attorney can counter-offer with an explanation of the damages that you are expecting throughout living with your injury. These negotiations may go back and forth for some time until you reach the final offer that is right for you.
Going to Trial if Needed
If you are unable to reach a fair settlement with the insurance adjuster, your final opportunity is to take your claim to trial. Ceasing negotiations is a big decision, which is why you should speak with your personal injury attorney before you go to trial.
The reason why going to trial is a big decision is due to the fact that you are taking a gamble any time you do so. If the judge decides that the defendant is not liable for your accident, you may end up without any financial recovery. It can also be a long time from the start to finish of trial before you see compensation, which means that you could be waiting to pay your bills.
The good news is that a large percentage of claims end in settlement, which means that there is a high likelihood that your claim will settle before it actually makes it to court. Even the mere threat of taking your claim to trial can sometimes be enough to get the insurance company to make you a good offer. This is why it is important to look into all of your options after an accident.
Contact a California Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you have been hurt in a California accident, it is important that you have knowledgeable legal assistance on your side. At Maison Law, our California personal injury lawyers are here to help you move forward after a life-altering accident caused by another party. We believe that negligent parties should always be held liable for the harm that they have caused you. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for a no-obligation and completely free case review. We do not get paid until you do.
