Any car accident victim knows that receiving compensation for damage associated with the accident often takes an agonizing amount of time. While some delay is inevitable when dealing with all the steps involved in an insurance claim, there are some reasons why a particular claim will take longer than another.
One reason why your case may not be completed quickly is if you refuse to settle. While this is obvious, insurance companies also bank on the fact that accident victims often need money quickly, and make an initial offer that is substantially lower than the full value of your losses. This is where an experienced attorney can offer valuable advice. If your claim is likely worth a great deal more than the insurance company’s initial offer, it may be worthwhile to reject the offer, even though taking this course of action will cause you to wait longer before receiving compensation.
Another reason why a claim may take longer is if liability is in dispute. If the other driver is at fault, his or her insurance company knows it will have to pay something to compensate you for the damage. If the case is less clear-cut, however, the company will do all it can to investigate the accident and attempt to show that your level of fault was high. It may be necessary to go to obtain the advice of experts or spend time trying to find additional eyewitnesses. Any ambiguity about who was at fault will usually lead to a longer claims process.
Finally, the amount needed to compensate you for your injuries may not be clear right away. Some injuries require a long period of rehabilitation, and others may never fully heal. Calculating the costs of rehabilitation that may last for a period of months or years is difficult, as is putting a value on a permanent injury. Many accident victims are understandably happy to settle quickly for what they believe is a fair sum, only to find that this sum is insufficient to cover the cost of additional care needed in the future. An experienced personal injury attorney will work with you and will engage experts to help put a fair value on your claim, helping you to avoid common problems associated with settling too soon.
The attorneys of Murphy & Garner, LLC, are ready to help all accident victims. We have over 32 years of experience serving clients in western Georgia and the surrounding area. We will fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation at 866-942-0552 or 678-563-1584.
