When most people think of horror stories, they think of ghosts, goblins, and things that go bump in the night.
As a personal injury lawyer, my horror stories are a little different.
They involve things like insufficient insurance coverage, missed deadlines, and people accepting settlement checks before they understand the full extent of their injuries.
Unfortunately, those situations happen more often than you might think.
A Real-Life Example
Not long ago, a potential client called our office after being injured in a car accident.
She was experiencing significant neck pain that radiated into her shoulder and arm. She had already been treated at the hospital and was waking up in the middle of the night with headaches and worsening pain. We scheduled a consultation to discuss her case.
The evening before our meeting, she contacted me with a question.
The insurance company had increased its settlement offer and was giving her a short deadline to accept it. The offer was tempting because she wanted to put the accident behind her and move on with her life.
Before making a decision, she wanted to know whether accepting the settlement was a good idea.
Why Quick Settlements Can Be Dangerous
The problem was that there were still too many unanswered questions.
Her medical bills had not yet arrived, so we did not know the full extent of her expenses. More importantly, she was still actively treating and had upcoming appointments with specialists. Her symptoms were not improving, and nobody knew what future treatment might be necessary.
There was another issue as well.
At the time of the accident, she was traveling between work assignments. A workers' compensation claim had already been opened, creating additional questions about medical payments, wage benefits, and potential reimbursement rights.
Had she accepted the settlement, she could have unknowingly signed away valuable rights before fully understanding the financial consequences.
Once You Settle, There Is Usually No Going Back
One of the biggest mistakes people make after an accident is accepting a settlement before they know the full extent of their injuries.
In most cases, a settlement requires signing a release. Once that release is signed and the check is deposited, the claim is over.
If new medical problems develop, additional treatment becomes necessary, or unexpected expenses arise, it is usually too late to seek additional compensation.
That is why understanding your injuries, medical treatment, insurance coverage, and any potential reimbursement claims is so important before accepting a settlement.
Before You Accept a Check, Get the Facts
Not every settlement offer is unfair, and not every accident requires hiring an attorney.
However, before accepting any settlement offer, it is important to understand exactly what rights you may be giving up and whether all of your damages have been accounted for.
A quick settlement can be appealing when you just want the process to be over. But making an informed decision today can help prevent expensive surprises tomorrow.
Questions About a Settlement Offer?
If you were injured in a car accident and the insurance company has offered you a settlement, contact Flattmann Law today for a free and confidential consultation.
We represent clients throughout St. Tammany Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Washington Parish, and communities across the Northshore including Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, Hammond, Madisonville, and the New Orleans metro area.
Call (985) 590-6182 today.
When you hire us, rest assured that an attorney handles your case. Your
file won’t be handed over to a junior attorney or secretary. Communication is a cornerstone of our firm.
Our legal library is full of articles on a variety of topics related to personal injury claims in Louisiana. Learn about how accidents happen, what to do when you are a victim, and how an attorney can help you fight for the compensation you may deserve.
