Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s First Offer After a Pedestrian Accident?

You should never accept the insurance company’s first offer after a pedestrian accident. In fact, it is in your best interest to avoid discussing the accident with the driver’s insurance company before speaking with an experienced New York City pedestrian accident lawyer. Dealing directly with the insurance company is risky under any situation. Not only can you expect unreasonable settlement offers, but their highly trained insurance adjusters also understand how to twist your words in a recorded statement.

If you were injured as a pedestrian, you could be entitled to substantial compensation. To ensure you get the settlement you deserve, contact Douglas & London right away.

The risks of speaking with the insurance company

There are several risks that come with accepting the first settlement offer from the at-fault party’s insurance. It should come as no surprise that these companies do not lead with their best offer. Many insurers act quickly to secure a monetary settlement below its true value. They hope that they can settle these cases before an individual has time to consult with a lawyer.

It is common for insurers to offer compensation for the medical bills that stem directly from the accident. While the cost of emergency care can be high, these offers rarely take into account the months or years of follow-up medical care you might need. However, you may also require or deserve compensation for your pain and suffering, lost wages, mental anguish, or other damages.

Moreover, discussing a settlement with the insurance company could also lead to their eventual refusal to pay any damages whatsoever. Insurance adjusters are infamous for twisting the words of injury victims to make it seem like they were at fault or their injuries were minor. One careless word could give the insurance company the latitude it needs to deny your claim entirely.

How an attorney could help

The good news is that you can avoid these pitfalls by working closely with dedicated New York City personal injury lawyers. Insurance adjusters know that our attorneys at Douglas & London negotiate settlements every day and that none of these tactics will be effective. Without the ability to prey on the inexperience of injured pedestrians, the insurance adjusters are forced to negotiate a settlement in good faith.

Your legal counsel can also advise you on what actually constitutes a fair settlement. While most individuals know a claim should cover their medical bills, other types of compensation are not so clear cut. That is because there are two different forms of damages in a pedestrian accident claim. These include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover things like medical bills, which can be measured through evidence like receipts or invoices. Non-economic losses are subjective and do not have a set monetary value. These include losses like pain and suffering. An attorney could help you understand what your pain and suffering claim is worth.

Contact us at Douglas & London to schedule a free consultation

After a pedestrian accident, the insurance companies will not waste any time attempting to push you into a settlement that is not in your best interest. To protect your right to compensation, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. We have extensive experience taking on pedestrian accident claims. To learn how we can help, schedule a confidential consultation right away.