After suffering car accident injuries caused by another driver's negligence, it's understandable to be concerned about resolving your personal injury claim as soon as possible. However, rushing to settle your case is not always in your best interests.
Factors Affecting Your Car Accident Settlement
Most car accident cases settle out of court.
A number of factors affect how long it takes to settle a car accident claim in Louisiana. The following is a brief overview:
- The extent of your injuries. It is advisable to wait until you have reached maximum medical improvement to settle your case, which takes longer for more serious injuries.
- Whether you have been left permanently disabled. If your injuries have left you with a disability that will require ongoing medical care or affect your ability to return to work, your case will become significantly more complex.
- Liability issues. If one driver is clearly at fault for the accident, a case may be able to be resolved fairly quickly. If liability is not obvious or more than one driver is at fault, the case may take longer to resolve.
- Your willingness to accept an offer. Your case ends as soon as you accept an offer from the insurance company. Offers made early in the process are often lower than what you may be entitled to receive. Some people accept a lowball offer because they are worried about finances or they are eager to put the matter behind them. This is not advisable.
The Value of Experienced Legal Representation
Before you accept any car accident settlement offer, it can be advantageous to discuss the terms of the settlement with your attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you evaluate the worth of your case to determine if the settlement provides adequate compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other harms and losses.
Once you have accepted a car accident settlement, you are not allowed to ask for more money later on. This means it is vital that you have someone available to advocate for your interests throughout the settlement process.
Contact us today or call us at (985) 590-6182 for a free and confidential consultation from our office located in Covington and serving all areas of the Northshore including St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington Parish (Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Slidell, Hammond) and the New Orleans metro!
