After a car accident in West Virginia, you might wonder if you should file a claim for compensation for a wide variety of losses. There are many ways to determine if you should file a car accident claim, such as cases where the damages are high and you have been seriously injured. To avoid going to court, car insurance companies will attempt to offer you a certain settlement amount so that you can move forward without the stress of the courtroom. However, the settlement that is offered for your West Virginia car accident might not be what you expected, which can leave you in a difficult situation.
Why You Shouldn’t Accept the First Accident Settlement Offered to You
Insurance adjusters are not always out to look for your best interest. The insurance adjuster in your case is looking to settle your accident claim within a certain dollar amount, which means that they might “low ball” you into an offer that is less than what you were looking for. Insurance adjusters tend to start at the lower range of what they want to offer you, and, enticed by the thought, you might jump at this offer; however, you want to hold out and wait for the best offer so that you don’t cut your claim short and miss out on opportunities that were owed to you.
Because of this, you always want to sit and consider your finances after you have received your first offer. Take the time to review the offer without responding with a “yes” right off the bat, which could lead to a future impact that is not suitable for you when you realize that your damages are much higher than you expected. You are allowed to reject a counteroffer if you believe that the amount will not sustain you in the long run. The first offer tends to be low, which is why you want to do your research!
Some Ways That You Can Value Your Car Accident
Before you accept any type of offer from the insurance company after your West Virginia car accident, you want to ensure that you consider all factors evident in your case. There are many aspects that you will have to take a close look at, including property damages, the total amount of medical bills that you have received, the disability you might have received, and more. Here are some things that you must keep in mind:
- Be sure to add up any bills and out-of-pocket expenses you have received without forgetting any of them. This includes everything from the medical bills you have incurred to wages you have lost from missing work and prescriptions that you have to pay for on your own.
- Remember all the treatment. This doesn’t just include a regular doctor’s visit – it also includes the need for future surgeries and any physical therapy you have endured.
- Consider who was at fault for the accident. If the other party contributed to your accident in full, you want to ensure that the costs are covered.
How a West Virginia Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
If you have been involved in a personal injury accident in West Virginia, our attorneys at Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner would like to offer our full support to you during this time. We understand how, in the blink of an eye, an injurious car accident can wreak havoc on your normal life and cause you stress that you never prepared for. Our accident attorneys are here for you every step of the way in the midst of your claim. Please contact us for more information at (304) 713-2014.
