At Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd., we tell our clients that they will only get one chance to ensure a fair settlement or verdict from their lawsuit. That is why jumping at the first offer that the insurance company makes can have dire consequences. When your injuries are severe, it becomes all the more important that you get the compensation that you are entitled to under the law. This can include medical expenses and lost wages, but it also includes pain and suffering, emotional trauma, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Some cases also include loss of society and loss of consortium as damages.
Your injuries are real, but dealing with insurance companies can be tricky. We will explain more about this below.
Whether you are injured in a car accident, a slip and fall accident, or some other kind of accident for which another party is liable, you are likely going to be making a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance policy. For instance, if you are injured in a parking lot, the company or individual who owns the parking lot has an insurance policy that can pay you for your injuries incurred there.
While many believe that insurance companies are there to help them, the truth is that they are bound by a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of their clients. That often means reducing the value of your claim as much as possible and limiting your recovery to as low of a number as they think they can get away with. Do not be surprised if they blame you for your injuries, claim they are not as severe as you say or offer you compensation that is only a fraction of what your damages are worth.
Your attorney has the same responsibility to you as the insurance company has to its policyholder. Our job is to maximize your claim and ensure you get as much money as possible in return. Again, you will only get one chance to receive a settlement for your damages. Once you accept a settlement from the insurance company, you can not go back and ask for more money later.
The threat of a jury trial is one card your attorney will use. Juries are unpredictable and often sympathize with injured parties over greedy insurance companies. The cost of a trial for an insurance company has to be weighed against a possible reward. Often, insurance companies would rather settle than risk a large jury award. The cost of paying their lawyers to defend the case is one big expense on top of another. For that reason, the best personal injury attorneys prepare your case to be trial ready. This essentially leverages the insurance company into a fair settlement or forces them to play the hand they are dealt with before a jury.
If you have been injured, you need an attorney who has the passion, knowledge, and trial experience required to ensure the best possible outcome for you. Give us a call to set up an appointment today.