If you are involved in a motorcycle vehicle accident and make a claim against an at-fault party, the insurance company may return to you with a settlement offer. As you consider it, your main question will likely be: Is this settlement offer fair? The answer is not as simple as you might like but you can figure it out. Keep reading to get the facts and then feel free to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free case evaluation.
You Can Count on Their First Offer Not Being Their Best Offer
The most important thing to remember is that the insurance company is not on your side. They are in the business of making money, just like any other for-profit company, and their goal is to get you to accept a settlement that costs them as little as possible. It is not to their benefit to offer you the best offer they can. As soon as you are offered a settlement, you should contact a personal injury attorney – assuming you have not already done so.
This is What a Fair Settlement Should Include
If a settlement is fair it should include your past medical expenses related to the accident as well as projected future expenses. This could include everything from doctor’s appointments to medications, from therapy to rehab. If you have a permanent disability or disfigurement, you should receive additional damages related to said injury.
If you have experienced significant pain and suffering due to your injury then your settlement should account for it. If you have experienced diminishment in the quality of your life, then your settlement should cover that. Have you missed work due to your injury? Then you should be compensated for lost wages. If you will likely see reduced income in the future from the injury then the settlement should account for that as well.
If the Insurance Adjuster is Pushy Then it is Likely Not a Fair Settlement
If you are offered a settlement and the adjuster pushes you to sign it right away then there is likely a reason for that – they do not want you to talk to an attorney and find out what your settlement is worth. If they say there is a time limit on the offer then you should take that as a sign to get outside help. If it is a fair settlement then they should have no problem letting an attorney confirm that for you.
Call Us Now to Get an Attorney’s Opinion
If you have been offered a settlement then you should, at a minimum, get a consultation with an experienced attorney. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker now at 800-333-0000 and we can provide an honest legal opinion.
