After you have been injured in a car accident, you’ll want to move on as quickly as possible from that traumatic event. Some insurance companies (or the at-fault party) may offer you a swift settlement and, while it might be tempting to accept it and get on with your life, there are plenty of reasons why it could be best to wait until after you have spoken with an experienced car accident attorney in Kershaw, South Carolina.

Reasons Why You May Be Offered a Quick Auto Accident Settlement

It is not uncommon for the insurers of the at-fault party to attempt to lowball you. If you were in a collision in Kershaw, South Carolina, a quick settlement may be used to tempt you. In these cases, the offer will be much less than the amount you would receive by taking the case to trial or negotiating with the help of a car wreck lawyer.

A lower amount is usually offered quickly in hopes that you’ll be pleased with how swiftly your claims were processed. However, you should not feel obligated to accept this first offer. It is important to make sure that the offer covers all of the damages that you have suffered due to your involvement in the auto accident.

In the past, there has been some controversy involving insurers who pressured claimants to settle for less. While there was a crackdown on this practice, it is still important for you to be careful when dealing with an auto insurance settlement that has been offered to you quite quickly.

In these cases, it is important to speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer. They will have the knowledge necessary to determine whether you are being lowballed by the insurer and help you negotiate for a more suitable settlement.

Have You Identified All of the Potential Damages?

After you have been in an auto accident, it is important that you thoroughly examine the situation. The most common claims that are made are for compensation related to vehicle repairs and hospital bills, but there may be many other costs incurred that you may not initially realize.

Depending on your injuries, you may need ongoing medical treatment, and many other charges may apply. If you require physical therapy, consultations with healthcare providers or medical accessories, the full cost of the treatment may not be considered when you have been offered a quick settlement. You should ensure that your settlement includes coverage for the following:

• Consultations
• Ambulance fees
• Accessories like crutches or wheelchairs
• Physical or cognitive therapy

Has Your Pain and Suffering Been Overlooked?

The same issue can apply to pain and suffering, as it is a complex type of non-economic damage. It may be overlooked when you have been offered a quick auto accident settlement, and it is important that you are offered compensation, if necessary.

Pain and suffering is the mental or emotional distress that you may experience after being involved in an auto accident. The amount of compensation for which you can claim will depend on the type of injury you sustained, how serious your pain is, and if you are likely to experience future pain as a result of this injury.

It is important that you consult with your doctor to determine whether or not you have experienced or are likely to experience pain and suffering as a result of your car accident. An experienced auto accident lawyer will also be able to guide you in this situation, ensuring that your settlement offer covers all of the compensation that you deserve.

Can I File a Claim for Lost Wages?

If you are offered a quick settlement, you may not be offered compensation for lost wages. By the time you’ve received the offer, you may not have returned to work yet. In some cases, you may even return to work only to be deemed temporarily unfit.

When this is the case, ensure that you have been cleared to head back to work by your employer and your doctor. Otherwise, a quick settlement may disregard your need to cover lost wages.

A Lawyer Can Help You Decide If You Should Accept a Quick Auto Accident Settlement

South Carolina has the third-worst drivers in the country, so it is important to stay safe while on the road to protect yourself from being in a collision – and, it is even more crucial to ensure that you know how to make a successful claim for the all of the damages that you are entitled to.

That’s why you should enlist in the help of experienced car accident lawyers. The team at Connell Law are dedicated to ensuring that you receive a fair settlement that will cover all of the costs incurred as a result of your auto accident.

View these other frequently asked questions pages:

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