How a Qualified Attorney Helps During the Truck Accident Settlement Process

The process of valuing damages is particularly important and can’t be glossed over or handled too quickly. Any settlement will involve signing a document saying you release your right to make future claims over the truck wreck. After receiving a settlement, you simply cannot pursue further compensation for that accident.

In other words, you shouldn't just focus on how fast a settlement arrives, but also on whether your settlement is actually fair and legitimately covers your damages.

For instance, if you haven’t reached maximum medical improvement yet and require additional medical care in the future, there is no way to get more money from insurance or the at-fault party down the line. You’ve already signed away your legal right to ask for more money over the truck crash once the settlement is accepted.

That’s why your attorney needs to make sure the settlement properly values all your damages on the first go around, such as:

  • Any non-economic damages covering physical pain, emotional anguish, reduced quality of life, and so on.
  • Bills for your medical costs directly related to the accident, like emergency room costs, expenses for staying in the hospital, and so on.
  • Estimated future medical expenses if your doctor expects you will require additional surgeries or treatments at some point down the line.
  • Medication for treating the injury and its symptoms
  • Out-of-pocket costs while you are pursuing medical treatment
  • Property damage for your vehicle
  • Rehabilitation costs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.
  • Surgery expenses

Besides working to make sure all of these elements of your injury are properly reflected in any payout, your attorney also helps by guiding you away from common legal problems in the process. With an experienced Virginia truck accident attorney in your corner, you can present the strongest possible case and avoid issues that allow the insurer to reduce or deny your settlement.

Acquiring a settlement early lets you avoid the additional stress of a trial when you are recovering from a truck accident. However, that may not be the best option in all cases, especially if you have extreme medical expenses that insurance won’t cover. In those situations, an attorney is needed to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek the fair compensation you truly deserve for your injuries.

 

Kevin W. Mottley
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Richmond, VA trial lawyer dedicated to handling brain injuries, car accidents and other serious injury claims