5 Signs Your Personal Injury Claim Could Be Worth More

If are considering filing a personal injury claim, its important to understand that the timing and handling of the process is everything.

While you may be tempted to put the accident or injury behind you, it’s never worth accepting a hasty settlement. If you do, beware of tactics that corporations and insurance companies use to rush innocent people into accepting less money than they are owed.

Don’t let anyone downplay your personal injury claim – especially, financially.

Many accident and injury victims accept lower settlements than they should because they don’t understand the full value of their personal injury claim. However, once you grasp the true worth of your claim, it can bring a sense of relief and assurance as an experienced personal injury attorney guides you through the process.

By recognizing the signs that you may be undervaluing your claim, you can avoid accepting a lower settlement than you deserve. Instead, empower yourself with the right information and consider options for more sound financial future. 

1. Insurance Companies are Rushing You

After you’ve been hurt or traumatized in an accident, it’s natural to feel like you want to put it all behind you. For many, this means accepting the first settlement offer from an insurance company. However, rushing to settle your claim can be one of your biggest long-term mistakes.

• How It Leads to An Undervalued Claim: Insurance companies often make lowball initial offers, especially if they know you’re under financial pressure. Insurers design these quick settlements to save themselves money, not to cover the full extent of your damages.

A personal injury lawyer helps you assess the true value of your claim by factoring in medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and more. They’ll also negotiate on your behalf, ensuring that any settlement offer is fair and reflective of the compensation you deserve.

2. You Didn’t Account for Future Medical Costs 

When dealing with an injury, it’s easy to focus on your immediate medical expenses and forget that the injury may also cost you money in the future. Some injuries require long-term treatment, rehabilitation, or even future surgeries. Failing to account for these costs can leave you under-compensated down the road.

• How It Leads to An Undervalued Claim: Many claimants only consider their current medical bills, overlooking the potential for ongoing medical care. This short-sightedness can result in a settlement that doesn’t cover future medical needs, forcing you to pay out-of-pocket later.

An experienced attorney will evaluate your medical prognosis and ensure that future medical costs are factored into your claim, which can make a huge difference years down the road.

3. Non-Economic Damages Weren’t Factored In

When calculating a personal injury claim, many people focus solely on the economic damages—medical bills and lost wages. But what about the pain and suffering you’ve endured? What about the emotional distress or the impact the injury has had on your quality of life? These are known as non-economic damages, and they’re just as important.

• How It Leads to An Undervalued Claim: Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life, can be hard to quantify. For instance, the emotional distress from not being able to participate in your favorite activities or the pain and suffering from a long recovery period are non-economic damages. As a result, many people who have been in accidents are unaware that they’re entitled to compensation for these less tangible but equally significant losses.

Personal injury attorneys have experience calculating non-economic damages based on the specifics of your case. They reference past cases and legal precedents to ensure that you’re compensated fairly for your emotional and psychological suffering, along with your physical injuries.

4. No One Discussed Lost Wages or Future Earnings

An injury doesn’t just affect your immediate medical bills—it can also impact your ability to work. Whether you’ve missed work due to recovery or your injury has limited your earning potential long-term, lost wages should be factored into your claim.

• How It Leads to An Undervalued Claim: Many claimants focus only on their short-term wage loss and fail to consider the long-term financial impact of their injury. If your injury affects your ability to work in the future, your compensation should reflect that potential loss.

A trial attorney can help you calculate both past lost wages and the potential impact on your future earning capacity. This ensures that your settlement or award takes into account how your injury has affected—and will continue to affect—your financial future.

5. You Didn’t Hire Experienced Accident & Injury Lawyer to handle your personal injury claim

One of the most common reasons people undervalue their personal injury claims is because they try to handle the process on their own. Without legal representation, you may not fully understand the value of your claim, your rights, or the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts. Seeking legal representation can provide you with a sense of security and protection.

• How It Leads to An Undervalued Claim: Insurance companies are experts at negotiating down claims. Without a lawyer to advocate for you, you’re at a significant disadvantage, and you may end up accepting a settlement that doesn’t cover your full range of damages.

A personal injury attorney knows how to navigate the complexities of personal injury law and can fight for the compensation you deserve. They’ll handle negotiations, paperwork, and court proceedings (if necessary), all while ensuring your best interests are represented every step of the way. Their role is not just to provide legal advice, but also to alleviate the stress of the legal process, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Does this Sound like you? call us Today! 

If any of these signs sound familiar, there’s a good chance you’re undervaluing your personal injury claim. Avoid these costly mistakes by consulting a personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your case, calculate your damages accurately, and fight for a fair settlement.

Don’t leave money on the table. Know your worth! If you recognize any of these signs, contact us today for a free consultation.

Remember, the sooner you seek legal advice, the better your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries.