When someone is injured in a car accident in Louisiana, our personal injury laws permit the accident victim to seek compensation for injuries, losses, and damages. Accident victims may be compensated for damages from a motor vehicle accident including:
- The cost of medical treatment, including surgeries, ER visits, physical therapy, medications, and medical equipment
- Loss of income, including loss of bonuses, wages, salaries, and other forms of compensation
- Future expenses for ongoing medical care, future lost wages, and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Emotional and mental suffering, including PTSD, fear, anxiety, and depression
- Physical pain and suffering
- Scarring, disability, impairments, and disfigurement
The amount of compensation a victim may receive depends on many factors. Our New Orleans accident attorneys work closely with accident victims to document all damages to maximize the amount of compensation they may receive for a personal injury claim.
However, some insurance adjusters may attempt to settle an injury claim very quickly. In most cases, a quick settlement offer is an indication that the insurance company wants to settle for a lower amount before the victim realizes the actual value of the claim.
Don’t Accept a Settlement Offer Without Talking to a NOLA Injury Lawyer
We encourage you to contact our office for a free consultation with one of our NOLA injury lawyers before accepting a settlement offer for your car accident claim. Once you accept the offer and sign a release, you cannot sue the insurance company or the other driver for more money, even if you discover an additional injury, require surgery, need physical therapy, or cannot return to work for months.
Three Very Important Things to Remember About Car Accident Settlement Offers
Before you agree to a settlement offer, there are three particularly important things our New Orleans injury lawyers want you to know:
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You Do Not Have to Accept the Offer
You can turn down the first settlement offer, or any other settlement offer if you do not believe the settlement offer is too low. In most cases, an insurance company offers an amount that is lower than the value of the claim to entice a victim to accept a quick settlement offer.
An exception would be if your damages greatly exceed the policy limits for the insured. In that case, the company may offer to pay you an amount equal to the policy limits to settle the claim. However, you should still talk to an attorney because the release you sign could prevent you from suing other parties that might be liable for your claim.
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You Can Negotiate with the Insurance Company
It is important to understand that you can negotiate with the insurance company to increase the amount of the settlement. The insurance company usually leaves a little “wiggle room” to increase the offer. In addition, the insurance adjuster may not have all information or misunderstood the medical records indicating the severity of your injuries. Our experienced New Orleans accident attorneys have extensive experience negotiating insurance claims to maximize the settlement amount.
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You Have the Right to Consult with an Attorney
The insurance adjuster may tell you that you do not need an attorney. You have the right to talk to an attorney, and we strongly urge you to do so. The insurance company has a team of legal and other professionals protecting its best interest. You deserve to have a legal team protecting your best interests.
Call a New Orleans Car Accident Attorney for More Information
If you were injured in a traffic accident, get the information you need to protect your best interests before you accept a settlement offer.
Contact Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm for a free consultation with a NOLA accident attorney by calling (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889.