Do I need an attorney or should I try to handle the claim on my own?

n attorney can often obtain more money for your claim than you can obtain on your own. It is the goal of every insurance adjuster to minimize claims payouts to increase the profits of the company. Adjusters are often rewarded by their employers for resolving claims quickly for a minimal sum or no compensation at all to the injured claimant. Therefore, the goal and purpose of an insurance company is in direct conflict with your best interests. The job of your attorney is to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries. Your attorney’s sole job is to work on your behalf and fight the insurance company, in court if necessary, to obtain the best possible outcome for you.

In cases where you have a severe injury, (broken bones, surgery, scars, a head injury, or other permanent injury), and in cases which involve criminal activity (hit and run, DUI, DUS, reckless behavior, or violations of laws and regulations, etc.), it is critical to retain an attorney to ensure that you are receiving the full value of your claim. Under these and other exceptional circumstances, you may be entitled to an award of punitive damages in addition to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An attorney knows when to make a claim for punitive damages on your behalf.

Additionally, the trucking industry is highly regulated. There are a variety of state and federal laws and regulations which govern trucking companies and how they operate on the roadways. Therefore, it is critical to retain the services of an attorney immediately. Due to the volume and complexity of these laws and regulations, it is particularly important to consult an attorney with experience in handling these claims. Attempting to resolve one of these claims on your own is not advisable. Trucking companies will often try to conceal problems and mistakes. Attorneys with experience handling these claims know how to reveal violations of laws and regulations and expose the negligence, and often even intentional misconduct, of these companies and their drivers.

You may be entitled to a recovery under multiple policies of insurance provided by other insurance carriers, including your own, who my provide coverage applicable to your claim. The attorneys at this firm have years of experience handling personal injury cases. We know how to assess the value of a case and we know how to locate other sources of recovery for you. This is where the services of an attorney prove to be most valuable. It is critical that you consult with an attorney prior to signing any document presented to you by an insurance company. Without an attorney, you may be signing away your right to additional compensation for your injuries.

The insurance company is sending someone to my house to write me a check and settle my case. Should I accept the money?

It is the goal of every insurance adjuster to minimize claims payouts to increase the profits of the company. Adjusters are often rewarded by their employers for resolving claims quickly and for a minimal sum or no compensation at all to the injured claimant. Therefore, the goal and purpose of an insurance company is in direct conflict with your best interests.

Insurance companies often send adjusters directly to your home with a checkbook in hand within days or hours of your accident. They know you are at your most vulnerable at this time. They want to settle your claim before you can consult an attorney or even a doctor regarding your injuries. Under the laws of your state, you may have a period of years within which to bring your claim. Thus, there is no reason to feel pressure to accept a quick or unreasonable settlement offer. Take your time, consult your doctor and seek the advice of counsel before accepting any money or signing any documents from the insurance company. Once you sign a release, your claim is over. If you change your mind, or your injuries worsen, the insurance company will not be responsible for any additional payment on your claim.