The insurance company offered me a settlement after my car accident. Should I talk to a lawyer first?
Emery Brett Ledger's Answer
Full Transcript
Below is an AI-generated transcript of the video answer.
If the insurance company is already offering you money after your car accident,
that should tell you one thing right away. They want to close the file.
And before you help them do that,
you should make sure you understand what your case is actually worth.
I'm attorney Emery Brett Ledger.
I've been practicing law for over 28 years and I'm licensed in California,
Washington, and Texas with a focus on personal injury and wrongful death.
If the insurance company has already offered you a settlement after your car
accident, the smart answer is usually yes. Talk to a lawyer first.
Here's why an insurance company's job is to close the claim for as little as it
reasonably can. And early in a case,
you may not yet know the full extent of your injuries,
whether you'll need more treatment,
how much time you'll miss from work or what your case is really worth.
A settlement may sound good in the moment, especially if bills are piling up.
But once you sign a release, that can be the end of the claim.
So before you accept anything, ask yourself, am I done treating?
Do I understand my future medical needs?
And do I know exactly what rights I'm giving up?
That does not mean every settlement offer is unfair.
Some are perfectly reasonable, but if you are still in pain, still treating,
missing work or feeling pressured to sign quickly,
that is exactly when you should slow down and get legal advice.
And one more thing,
talking to the insurance company does not stop the legal clock.
Deadlines still apply and waiting too long can damage your claim.
So before you sign anything,
make sure you are making an informed decision, not just a quick one.
To learn more, visit ledgerlaw.com or call the Ledger Law Firm at
800-300-0001.