In a perfect world, you'd approach an insurance company after a car accident and they would immediately offer you the compensation you deserve to cover your medical expenses and for your pain and suffering. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Receiving satisfactory compensation from many insurance companies is often a process that goes back and forth for weeks or even months.
Many people get to a certain point and decide that litigation is the best course of action. How can you tell if this is the case for you?
The Offer Doesn't Cover Your Medical Expenses
At the very least, the offer you receive from the insurance company should be enough to cover your medical expenses. When your medical expenses exceed a certain amount or when you need long-term medical care, some insurers will do whatever they can to minimize the payout. Unfortunately, this can leave your health in a precarious position. Litigating in such situations is usually the best course of action if there are no signs of a larger offer.
The Insurance Company Is Shifting Liability
Liability in a car accident can be very problematic. Being found partially or fully liable for the accident can greatly reduce the amount that you're entitled to. In addition, this can also hurt your driving record for future purposes. If the insurance company attempts to partially or fully shift the blame to you, litigation should be an option for you if you're sure you can prove the other party was at fault.
Your Lawyer Believes You're Entitled to a Lot More
Many people take the first offer they receive from insurance companies. Some people do this because they don't factor in expenses such as the need for long-term treatment. Others do this because they're afraid that turning down the offer may leave them with nothing in the end.
This is one of the reasons why hiring a personal injury attorney is a good idea. An attorney can look at the details of the case and tell you if you're likely to get more money through litigation.
The Insurance Company Is Taking Its Time
If the insurance company is taking too long to respond to you or they're completely ignoring you, going to court is your best course of action. Some insurers will do this intentionally to wait until you're desperate enough to accept any offer. If your calls to the insurance company are going unanswered, it may be time to hire a lawyer.
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