Avoid Taking a Quick Settlement After a Car Accident

If you have been injured in a car accident, we know you may need money to pay your medical bills, fix your car, and simply support yourself and your loved ones. Although you may be tempted to accept a quick settlement after a car accident, there are a few factors to be aware of before you accept any offer of settlement.

Settling a Car Accident Claim as Quickly as Possible

Generally, you can settle any car accident case quickly if you are willing to take less money than you may be entitled to. Rather than asking, “Can I settle my case fast?” the real question should be, “How much money am I willing to give up for a quick settlement?” Here are some reasons why certain car accident cases may take a long time to settle—and why the potential outcome (i.e. greater compensation) may be worth the wait:

1. There are unresolved legal or factual issues in your case, such as questions about who was at fault for the accident.
2. Your case involves a significant amount of money, in which case insurance companies will do everything they can to avoid paying the full amount of damages available to you.
3. You are still being treated for your injuries, which means you (and your attorney) don’t truly know the total cost of your short and long-term medical treatment.

If your car accident case involves any of these circumstances, unfortunately, your claim is going to take some time to settle. On the bright side, you are more likely to receive fair compensation for your damages rather than pennies on the dollar.

Accepting a “Short” Settlement

In some cases, you realize your case may be worth more if you wait for a proper settlement or take the case to trial, but you genuinely need the money right away. Unfortunately, there are no exact rules for short settlements. Sometimes, an insurance company may offer 30% of what it would offer at trial; other times, it may only offer 5% or even less.

The legal team at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers will work to get you the money you need as quickly as possible, but we’ll never rush through your claim or pressure you to accept something less than fair. We won’t settle without having a good understanding of the full extent of your injuries, property damage, lost wages, etc., and what you face in the future. And we always provide you with all the options along with the probabilities of various outcomes that depend on specific actions.

Talk to KWF before Accepting a Settlement After a Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, we know it’s tempting to take any amount of money offered to you, but it’s wise to talk to a lawyer first. The legal team at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers is available at (404) 461-0101 to help you take the best course of action in your situation. Call us today for your free consultation.