Once you file a personal injury claim, your insurance company will make an initial settlement offer. Accepting the settlement offer will release the insurance company from further liability. This means that the insurance company will no longer be bound to pay you any more money as personal injury compensation in this case. Be warned however:a prompt offer from the insurance company may be an attempt to induce you to agree to a compensation amount that is less than you deserve. How can you decide-especially in the absence of professional legal advice-whether you should accept the settlement being offered? These are some things you need to do:
1. Evaluate the settlement amount
Asses the compensation offered to ensure that it adequately covers the extent of your injury. This should take into account the physical and mental anguish you suffered, the cost of treatment and incidental costs, such as the salary you lost due to inability to work.
2. Predict future expenses
The compensation amount should also cover likely expenses in the future. If you are undergoing treatment, get a doctor to prepare an estimate of how much you will need to spend for a complete recovery. Also, take a complete medical examination to guard against any 'hidden' injuries. The effects of such injuries may become apparent only later, by which time it may be too late to claim any more compensation.
3. Read the release carefully
It is important that you carefully study the release contract drafted by the insurance company before signing. Make sure that the release prepared by insurance company is specific and covers only the personal injury claim against the insurance company. Not doing so may result in you signing a general release statement that will prevent you from taking advantage of potential related claims, such as property damage or medical malpractice for instance.
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