You have the right to pursue a car crash lawsuit in court, where a civil judge or jury would decide whether you are owed compensation. However, most auto accident claims—and personal injury claims in general—end with private settlement agreements between the parties involved that do not require a court’s intervention.
If you are considering accepting an offer for a car accident settlement in Philadelphia, you should speak with legal counsel first. While settling a case like this can be beneficial, there are some drawbacks and potential complications you should know about in advance. A skilled car crash lawyer can help you navigate around these roadblocks and obtain the compensation you need and deserve.
Pros and Cons of Settling a Car Accident Claim
The primary benefit of auto accident settlements in Philadelphia is fairly straightforward:
- Settling out of court will almost always resolve your case much faster than taking it through the entire civil litigation process would
- It will also generally cost you less in legal fees and other expenses
Furthermore, people who negotiate for settlements tend to have more direct influence over the outcome of their claim, since they and their legal representative can ask specifically for what they need rather than depending on a court to decide that for them.
On the other hand, settlement talks only work if everyone involved is willing to work in good faith—and unfortunately, not every insurance company can be trusted to do that, especially if they know they are negotiating with someone who does not have help from legal counsel. Settlements are also generally less valuable on average than court damage awards. However, as any experienced attorney could affirm, getting a guaranteed settlement for a smaller amount is often much better than risking an unfavorable court ruling and getting nothing at all.
What to Consider When Negotiating a Settlement
It is not uncommon for insurance companies to make an initial settlement offer very quickly after a wreck occurs. While accepting this offer is not always a bad idea, it is unwise to take it without first discussing the matter with a qualified car accident lawyer.
This is because insurance companies often offer unfairly low settlements right away after crashes in order to mislead accident victims into thinking their case is worth less than it is. Once someone accepts a settlement, they can never go back and ask for more money, even if their injuries get dramatically worse over time. Because of that, it is generally best to wait for a while after a car crash in Philadelphia before negotiating for a settlement, so the full value of long-term losses is as clear as possible.
Get Help from a Philadelphia Attorney With the Car Accident Settlement Process
If you were recently involved in a traffic collision, you likely have many unexpected bills to pay and other losses to contend with. It can be tempting to jump at the first offer of compensation you get from the insurance company. With rare exceptions, though, the best course of action in a situation like this is to seek help from a seasoned legal professional and ensure you get a fair offer that meets all your short- and long-term needs.
You have help available with obtaining favorable terms for a car accident settlement in Philadelphia. Call Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys today to learn more.