If you were involved in a car or truck accident in Florida, you may have already received a settlement offer. It feels good to have the insurance company offer you money, and the amount may seem like more than enough. However, before you sign any papers or cash that check, it pays to make sure that the settlement offer is a fair one.
Although insurance companies will always claim to be on your side, the truth is they are for-profit businesses. Their ultimate goal is to make money – not give it away. The less they can pay you for your injuries, the better.
As an Avvo article points out, insurance adjusters are highly trained negotiators who know how to use psychological tactics to get what they want. Even if they seem friendly, keep in mind that their mission is to turn a profit, not make your life easier.
So with that truth in mind, how do you know whether to accept a settlement offer or not? Here are a few key questions you should ask:
- Does the offer fully cover your medical expenses, both now and into the future? Such expenses can include surgeries, appointments with specialists, physical therapy, prescription drugs, adaptive equipment, in-home care and much more.
- Does it take into account all your time off work? This includes wages you’ve already lost as well as lost earning potential in the years to come.
- Does it cover the damage to your vehicle or other property?
- Does it truly compensate you for your physical pain, emotional trauma and other suffering related to the accident?
Answering these questions isn’t always easy. In the vast majority of cases, it’s worthwhile consulting an experienced personal injury attorney for a free consultation about your situation. A lawyer can advise you about whether or not to accept the insurance company’s check or not. It may turn out that you deserve far more compensation than you knew.