After being seriously injured in any type of accident, the absolute last thing you want to deal with is an insurance company. You are confused, exhausted, in pain, and more than likely just want to put this whole ordeal behind you. We understand that you need to rest in order to heal and get your life back together. Unfortunately, so does the insurance company. This makes them more tenacious when it comes to offering you a lowball settlement and then pressuring you to accept it.
Is hiring a personal injury attorney really in my best interest?
If you are debating whether or not to hire a personal injury attorney and would like more information before you decide, the experienced legal team at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can help. We can review the facts of your accident, assess your damages, and go over the ways your case would or would not benefit from legal representation. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Virginia personal injury lawyers, give us a call at (833) 997-1774 or fill out the contact form on our website.
Will I Lose Settlement Money Without an Attorney?
There is a good chance that you will lose out on a significant amount of settlement money if you do not work with an attorney. Insurance companies have well-earned reputations for taking advantage of victims at their most vulnerable by offering low settlement amounts in hopes that your need for money will allow them to quickly close out your case.
Many victims agree to the initial settlement offer because it sounds generous. When an insurance adjuster contacts you soon after your accident, you might not be aware of the full extent of your injuries, especially if you experienced whiplash or a traumatic brain injury, and what forms of compensation you are entitled to. You could be eligible to collect recovery for future medical bills, lost earnings, and many other damages that are not immediately known.
What if I Am Satisfied With What the Insurance Company is Offering?
We understand that you just want this to be over, but before you agree to any offer from an insurance carrier, it is a good idea to have a qualified personal injury attorney review your settlement letter. As previously mentioned, it is highly unlikely that the insurance company is making you an offer that is in the best interests of you and your family.
Once you sign a settlement letter, you waive your right to file a lawsuit against the insurance carrier for a larger settlement amount. If you find out later on that you require additional medical attention and are unable to go back to work, you cannot contact the insurance carrier and tell them your circumstances have changed. The letter you signed is a binding agreement stating you will no longer pursue financial compensation from them once they pay you. When you hire an experienced personal injury lawyer, they will make sure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries and any other damages caused by the accident.
Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney Today
Negotiating with an insurance company is frustrating, and exhausting, and most people have never done it before. Insurance carriers have their own teams of attorneys they use to protect their company’s best interests, and so should you.
The Virginia personal injury law firm of Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp is located in Virginia Beach and backed by more than four decades of experience litigating personal injury cases. If you would like more information on hiring a personal injury attorney or to schedule a free case review, call us today at (833) 997-1774.
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For over twenty years, Mr. Sharp's law practice has focused on serious personal injury claims, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury claims. He also handles nursing home neglect cases and medical malpractice claims. Mr. Sharp has counseled numerous clients about the complexities concerning litigation of both pediatric and adult brain injury. Mr. Sharp has been awarded the AV Preeminent ranking by Martindale, the highly respected and widely utilized directory of lawyers throughout the world. AV Preeminent status is awarded only to those lawyers who achieve the highest level of success within the legal field and is a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers and Judges rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. He has also been recognized as a "Best Lawyer" by U.S. News for personal injury, an accolade awarded to only a small fraction of lawyers. Mr. Sharp has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top personal injury lawyers in Virginia. This recognition is awarded only to those lawyers who have achieved the highest level of success and have been recognized by their peers as demonstrating the highest level of professional excellence.
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