If you incur a back, neck, or other type of injury in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and other losses related to the crash. In some cases, the amount of your financial award will be determined through settlement talks that take place outside of a Missouri courtroom. As a general rule, it’s in your best interest to have an attorney review a proposed settlement before deciding to accept it.
Does the proposed settlement account for your long-term needs?
Depending on the severity of your injuries, it may be necessary to take medication to ease chronic head, neck, or back pain for the rest of your life. There is also a chance that you won’t be able to work again as the result of another motorist’s negligence. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that there is enough money to cover any expenses that you might incur months, years, or decades after the settlement is reached.
Is the settlement coming from the party with the deepest pockets?
In a personal injury case, you are entitled to seek compensation from the parties that are best suited to pay the maximum that you might be entitled to by law. For instance, pretend that you were struck by a vehicle that a teen motorist borrowed to drive to work. In such a scenario, you likely wouldn’t get much from the young driver. Instead, you would pursue a financial award from the parent who owned the vehicle. Your car accident attorney may be able to further explain this concept and how it may work to your advantage when negotiating a settlement in your case.
Ideally, you’ll seek medical treatment as soon as possible after a car accident occurs. After seeking treatment, it may be in your best interest to speak with a personal injury attorney. This person might be able to negotiate a favorable settlement on your behalf that may allow you to obtain compensation for lost wages and for lost future earnings and to replace property damaged in the collision.
