If you or a loved one was harmed in a car wreck caused by the carelessness of another driver, you probably have the grounds to file a personal injury claim against the other driver and seek financial restitution for your harms and losses. If you are looking for a car accident injury settlement that properly compensates you for your medical bills, time missed from work, and pain and suffering, you will need to negotiate with an insurance adjuster. This is primarily because auto insurance companies do not make the “best” settlement offer at the beginning. In fact, they routinely take advantage of injured drivers by making low-ball settlement offers and convincing drivers that the low dollar amount is “better” than hiring an attorney and going to court. Always remember, an insurance company is focused on generating profit and they do this by minimizing their financial liability after an insured driver causes a serious accident and harms other drivers.
Never Forget – the Auto Insurance Adjuster is Not Your Friend
If you get seriously hurt in an auto accident, do not be surprised if an insurance adjuster for the other driver’s insurance company calls you within 24 hours. They may, initially, act quite friendly and sound like they are on your side.
Do not fall for this ruse.
The objective of an insurance claims adjuster is to get a personal injury claim resolved for the least amount of money as possible. This is why they often call you right away, even before you’ve had a chance to undergo a thorough medical examination by your primary care physician. They’ll ask to record your phone conversation in the hopes that you may say that you’re “feeling fine” (which they may try to use if your claim escalates to litigation).
If you want to avoid the hassle and stress associated with speaking to an insurance adjuster and negotiating a settlement, you should contact an experienced Virginia Beach car accident lawyer to represent you. A personal injury attorney takes the burden of negotiating your claim off your shoulders and works to get you the compensation you deserve.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Personal Injury Settlement?
The length of time to settle a case depends on many factors, including the type of accident, the extent of your injuries, the amount of damages in question, the amount of available auto insurance coverage, and so forth. It is important to keep track of the amount of time it takes to try and settle your claim because if negotiations break down, you can only file a lawsuit if you are within the applicable time period prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Again, retaining an experienced car accident injury attorney in Virginia Beach will make your life easier because, once hired, they will keep track of all the necessary deadlines and ensure your lawsuit gets filed on time, if needed.