Personal Injury Lawyer
3 Things to Know Before Taking a Motorcycle Accident Settlement
Every motorcycle accident is unique. The settlement process with the insurance company depends on many factors. If you’ve been offered a settlement from the other driver’s insurance company, you might be wondering if you should take it. Here are three things that you should consider.
Settlements Are Final
A settlement is a final resolution for your case. You will not be able to seek any further damages in the future. If you discover additional injuries from the accident, you cannot ask for more money from the insurance company or the other driver. Settling a claim quickly is advantageous for the insurance company, but not necessarily in your best interest.
Your Physical Damages Are Just One Factor in a Settlement Claim
After an accident, you’re probably worried about your immediate medical bills and any damages to your bike. Your settlement is much more than the cost of your immediate needs. You may be out of work for a long time. You may need rehab before you can get back to work. Plus, you may have non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and a lost quality of life. By settling a claim too quickly, you won’t have time to take all of these factors into account.
You Should Consider Your Chances in a Trial of Winning Your Case
When choosing whether to take a settlement or not, you want to think about what happens if you take the insurance company and other driver to court. It’s very expensive to fight a battle in court. Consider getting witnesses to court to testify. Are they credible? Will they be available to testify?
What about the laws in your state around comparative negligence? If it’s determined that you were at fault, you may lose a percentage of your damages. You’ll need expert reports from doctors and accident recreation technicians. The jury’s opinions about motorcycling can also weigh into your settlement.
Taking the settlement might be the better option, but you’ll have to look at all the elements of your case before you can make the best decision for your situation. Having a lawyer assess your case can give you more information to help you decide what to do. There may be laws that affect your case that you haven’t considered.
Get Legal Counsel
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to understand your rights when making a decision about a settlement. Talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer about your case to ensure that you get a fair settlement.
Source: Personal Injury Lawyer Wytheville, VA, The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt