When you’re involved in an automobile accident and suffer injuries, it may be tempting to accept a fast settlement from the insurance company. However, settling an injury claim without consulting an experienced attorney is almost always a serious mistake—for both your health and financial well-being.

The most compelling reason for having an attorney is the fact that claimants who hire lawyers receive far more in compensation than those who don’t. A study conducted by the Insurance Research Council, a nonprofit organization, found that, on average, injured persons who had an attorney received settlements nearly 3.5 times greater than those who did not. This dramatic difference is due to the fact that lawyers understand the nuances of personal injury and insurance law. Without professional guidance, most individuals don’t know what their claim is worth.

These are other reasons why proceeding with your insurance claim without an attorney is inadvisable:

• Uneven playing field — Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts for their company. They know the law and are skilled at exploiting any lack of experience or legal understanding. Adjusters may pressure you to accept a quick, low-ball offer by emphasizing the need for a “fast resolution” or warning about the possibility of the offer being withdrawn. They might even use statements you make against you to undermine your claim or deny liability altogether.

• Diminished physical and emotional condition — After an accident, you may be stressed, upset and dealing with pain or discomfort. A professional advocate is able to negotiate firmly and objectively. This emotional distance protects you from being pressured into a poor decision.

• Assessing and proving damages — Without a lawyer, it is very easy to overlook significant categories of compensation. You may be entitled to damages not only for your medical bills but also for lost future earnings, long-term rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering and other losses. Attorneys know how to properly value claims and to calculate damages. 

• Finality of settlement — Once you agree to a settlement and sign a release, your claim is closed forever. If you later discover other injury resulting from the accident, you have no recourse for more money. An attorney will ensure that your compensation thoroughly reflects your losses.

• Following procedures and deadlines — Not completing a claim properly or not meeting deadlines can mean losing your right to recover anything at all. A personal injury attorney manages all filings and ensures all deadlines are met, protecting you from costly mistakes.

Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. in Hamden and East Haven represents Connecticut residents who have been injured due to someone else’s fault. Please call 203-745-0942 or contact us online to set up a meeting with one of our attorneys.