You woke up that day expecting it to be like any other. You got into your vehicle and began a drive you make nearly every day, but that day was different. On that day, another vehicle slammed into yours and caused you serious injuries. Within the first few days or weeks after the accident, the other driver’s insurance company began contacting you about a settlement. Should you take it? Is it enough? The simple answer to both those questions is probably “no.”
Do you have to accept the first settlement offer?
No, you do not have to accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company. The fact is that insurance companies are in the business of making money, and offering you the maximum amount of compensation you may be entitled to does not achieve that goal. For this reason, they tend to offer low settlements at a time when they believe you are most vulnerable.
As your medical costs only seem to increase, and your income only seems to go down, you may consider accepting that first offer out of concern for your financial situation. The insurance company plays on that fear by trying to get to you quickly before you have a chance to truly understand the scope of your injuries and the financial impact the accident will have on your life.
How do you respond?
First, if you have not even received a medical bill yet, you may want to wait to respond. You need to gain a better understanding of the amount of medical costs and other damages you have already accrued and what you may yet accrue in the future. More than likely, the number does not even come close to what you need and deserve.
When you do respond, you need to do so in writing in order to create a paper trail in case you end up having to go to court. You could even make your own offer if you have a good idea of what you will need and the amount to which you may deserve. You may want to send along documentation to back up your counteroffer. The question is determining the amount and finding the best evidence to provide to back up your amount. Fortunately, you do not have to go through this process alone.
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Losing a loved one is always a sorrowful, difficult experience. When a death occurs because of a sudden fatal auto accident, grief is intensified and can be challenging to manage. It is important for Florida families who are grieving to build a strong support network from the start.
Such support can include close friends and relatives who knew the decedent and can share memories and loving thoughts with family members. Many people also turn to licensed counselors for support to help process their grief and learn how to move on in life after the shock of a sudden death. If the collision in question was preventable and caused by driver negligence, it can also be helpful to join a community support group where others who have gone through similar experiences can provide encouragement and assistance to those who have recently lost a loved one.
The emotional trauma associated with sudden death causes tremendous, often long-lasting suffering. Beyond that, many families also endure serious financial distress because of medical expenses from care rendered to their loved one before he or she died along with funeral expenses and other issues. If another person’s negligence was the cause of a family member’s death, an immediate relative of the decedent may file a wrongful death claim in court to seek compensation for damages.
Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa are committed to helping Florida families seek justice after losing loved ones when a fatal auto accident occurs. Every human life is irreplaceable, and no amount of compensation can eliminate the sorrow of such great loss. However, court-awarded monies can provide financial relief to families who are struggling to pay expenses they were not prepared to meet.