Should you accept a personal injury settlement over the phone?

If you’ve been in a car accident and the insurance company is offering to settle with you over the phone, what should you do? It’s important to understand that if a settlement is made orally, over the phone, on a recording, it will be binding in most cases. If you make that settlement, it will be the only way that you’ll recover for the injury. Settlements do require that there be clear language releasing the other side from liability, so the exact language of what was communicated is important. Below is a video by one of our attorneys. If you prefer to read about it, you can skip the video and continue reading the article below.

Why do insurance companies offer settlements over the phone?

If you’ve been offered a settlement over the phone, it’s often because the insurance company doesn’t want you to talk to a lawyer. They don’t want you to get a second opinion or consider the long-term impact of the injuries. It’s important for you to talk to a lawyer about what’s been offered you and whether you should take it.

A personal injury attorney can help you to assess the damages you’ve incurred after a car accident. This can include the cost of your medical care, any wages you’ve lost by taking time off work to recover from your injury, and even future earnings you may miss out on if your injury is extensive. An experienced attorney will also be able to help you navigate the complex world of insurance. Commonly, there may be insurance policies that you can recover from that you’re not even aware of, including the policies of family members that live with you. While this may sound strange, insurance premiums that you pay sometimes include these contractual rights.

Contact the attorneys at Cornerstone for help.

At Cornerstone Law Firm, we offer free consultations for personal injuries. If you’ve been offered a settlement by an insurance company and you’re not sure whether it’s a good offer or not, call us. We’ll be happy to give you a consultation and talk about what your options are and whether that’s a settlement you should take.