The days and weeks following a car accident often pass by in a bit of a blur. Even a relatively minor car crash can be traumatic. If you were hurt in the collision, you might also be busy seeking medical treatment and working on your physical and mental recovery.

During this time, you will likely be approached by an insurance adjuster who may offer you a settlement on behalf of the at-fault driver. If you accept that settlement offer, you will also have to give up your right to any claims against the driver. Before you sign on the dotted line, call our law firm to talk to a South Carolina car accident lawyer about your rights and the value of your claim.

The Derrick Law Office is committed to helping accident victims get the money that they deserve for their injuries. We will help you understand how much your case is worth and give you advice on your legal options – without charging you for the consultation. To learn more or to talk to a South Carolina personal injury attorney about your claim, reach out to our firm today.

What Exactly Is a Settlement?

In its simplest terms, a settlement is the money that an insurance company pays you on behalf of whoever caused your injuries. For example, in a car accident case, the at-fault driver’s car insurance company will typically offer the injury victim a settlement to resolve the claim. It is effectively the transfer of money from the insurance company to you to resolve a claim.

Of course, the insurance company won’t just give you a check. They will require you to sign a document known as a release to get the settlement check. When you sign the release, you are giving up your right to pursue any current or future claims for the accident. Once you sign it, you won’t be able to seek more money from the “bad guy” in your case. 

Consider a situation where you are driving along the highway when you stop at a red light – and the car behind you doesn’t stop. An insurance adjuster may call you the next day and offer you $5,000 to resolve your claim. This money is intended to cover all of your losses associated with the accident, including:

• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Medical bills
• Future medical treatment
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring
• Disfigurement

Together, these are known as your damages. Your settlement will essentially wrap all of these damages up together with a single check – which is why it is so important that you understand the true value of your case before you agree to any settlement.

Should I Talk to an Injury Lawyer Before Accepting a Settlement?

The average person is probably lucky enough to not have a whole lot of experience with personal injury lawsuits. While this is a good thing, it also puts you at a disadvantage when it comes to negotiating a settlement with an insurance company. The simple fact is that you don’t have as much experience as the insurance adjuster – or the team of lawyers backing them up.

Fortunately, it is free to schedule a consultation with a South Carolina personal injury lawyer. You can also hire an attorney for your claim on a contingency fee basis. This type of fee agreement means that you will pay nothing up-front – and will only pay an attorney’s fee if they recover money for you through a settlement or verdict at trial.

During this appointment, your lawyer will listen to your story and offer advice on your options for pursuing a claim. This will include a ballpark estimate of the value of your case based on this experience. This estimate will give you a good idea of whether or not the settlement being offered is within the range of what you should expect.

In the rear-end accident example above, $5,000 may seem like a fair settlement – especially if you don’t think that you really suffered any injuries. However, certain conditions that are associated with rear-end accidents, like whiplash, aren’t always obvious right away. If you accept that $5,000 settlement, you might find yourself without enough money to pay for your medical bills, time off of work, and other losses.

Remember: when you accept a settlement, you aren’t just getting a check. You are also giving up your right to pursue legal action against the at-fault driver. Before you sign a settlement and release, you want to be 100% sure that you are getting a settlement that fully compensates you for your losses. For this reason, it makes sense to schedule a free consultation with a South Carolina car accident attorney.

Insurance companies don’t have your best interests at heart. Their goal is to resolve the case for as little money as possible. If you want to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries, don’t accept a settlement offer from the insurance adjuster until you have had a chance to talk to a lawyer.

Have You Been Offered a Car Accident Settlement? Call Us First.

When an insurance company offers you money for a car accident, there are strings attached – specifically, the requirement that you give up your right to file a lawsuit. Before you sign any documents or give a statement to an adjuster, you should schedule a free consultation with a South Carolina car accident lawyer. We can help you decide if it makes sense to accept the settlement – or move forward with a legal claim.

Based in Simpsonville, the Derrick Law Office helps car accident victims get maximum compensation for their injuries. We offer free initial consultations and never charge a fee unless we recover money for you. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with our personal injury law firm, give us a call at 864-428-1923 or fill out our online contact form.

Related: What to Do After a Car Accident