If you were involved in an accident in Arkansas, you might have already talked to the insurance companies. You have a clear understanding of the details of your case and how much your claim may be worth. An offer from an insurance company after your accident may seem to account for every possible loss you may have suffered. However, insurance companies often use different tactics to provide lowball offers in order to avoid taking their case to court. Fayetteville, AR personal injury lawyer Ken Kieklak invites you to keep reading as we discuss what you can and should do if your insurance injury settlement is too low in Arkansas.
What Should I Do if My Arkansas Insurance Settlement Is Too Low?
People injured in a personal injury accident often rely on compensation to cover all of their expenses and losses. For instance, an injured victim in a car accident in Arkansas may file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. Typically, the insurance company will provide you with an offer, which you can accept or reject. Often, their initial settlement offer may seem substantial, and you may feel tempted to accept. However, this initial settlement may include a fraction of what you would otherwise get.
Most car insurance companies only provide coverage for things such as property damage, medical bills, and lost wages. No insurance company providing coverage for car accidents in Arkansas will cover any additional losses you may have experienced in your accident, such as pain and suffering.
If your initial settlement offer is low, you still have the chance to fight for fair compensation. The first thing you should do if your insurance settlement is too low is to contact an Arkansas personal injury lawyer. Having a lawyer by your side can give you a better chance of fighting for the compensation you deserve.
It is in your best interest to contact a lawyer before accepting any offers from an insurance company. Insurance carriers know that, if you are negotiating a settlement on your own, they have the upper hand. It may be difficult for you to understand how this process works, especially when you are trying to recover from your injuries. Under these circumstances, it is easy to follow the insurance company’s lead and accept a lowball offer instead of complete compensation. If you were hurt in a severe car accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident in Arkansas, make sure to contact a lawyer before accepting any offers from an insurance company.
How Personal Injury Compensation is Calculated in Arkansas
The best way to get the compensation you deserve after your accident is to take your case to court. As we mentioned, an insurance settlement will only cover some of your losses, leaving some of the most significant damages outside their policies. When you take your case to trial, you can have a better chance of getting a more substantial compensation.
Filing a personal injury claim after your accident can help you hold the liable parties accountable for your losses. Through this type of lawsuit, the court will consider all of the circumstances surrounding your case and grant a compensation based on the evidence provided by your lawyer.
For instance, you can provide evidence showing all of the medical expenses you engaged in as a result of your injuries. These expenses include surgeries, rehabilitation, mental health counseling, medical equipment costs, among others. You may have had to take time off your work to recover from all of your injuries. Your finances can be compromised if you spend too much time away from your job. For this reason, the court will consider any lost wages and reduced capacity to generate income and include it as part of your potential compensation.
The court will also factor in the pain and suffering you went through due to your accident. Pain and suffering include physical pain associated with your injuries and the mental and emotional injuries caused by your trauma. Furthermore, you may be suing the liable parties after a deadly car accident in Fayetteville, that caused the death of a loved one. The court may also consider this situation and grant you compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Will I Get More Compensation for My Injury with a Lawyer in Arkansas?
The court will consider all of the elements surrounding your case and determine the compensation that can make you “whole” again, which is the purpose behind personal injury claims. It is always recommended to have a Bella Vista personal injury lawyer by your side at all times, so you have a better chance of getting the compensation you deserve.
The amount of compensation you can expect from your personal injury claim in Arkansas can vary depending on the circumstances of your claim. The court, however, will consider all of the details surrounding the case and calculate the compensation that can best represent the extent of your losses.
Handling a personal injury claim in court requires experience, skill, and knowledge. Your lawyer can help you show through the preponderance of the evidence that the defendant in your case owed you a legal duty that was breached, causing you harm and losses. Furthermore, having an attorney by your side can help you avoid costly mistakes, such as filing your lawsuit after the statute of limitations has passed. You only have a limited time to file your claim with the court. For instance, if you were involved in a car accident, the law provides you with three years to file your claim. After this time has passed, the court will refuse to hear your case, leaving you without the chance of fighting for compensation at trial.
Call Our Arkansas Personal Injury Attorney if Your Insurance Settlement is Too Low
If you were injured in an accident in Arkansas, and the liable party’s insurance company offered you a low settlement, we can help. You must not accept an offer from the at-fault parties before consulting with an attorney. Ken Kieklak understands how insurance companies work and is not afraid to take them to court. At the law offices of Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, we represent injured victims and help them fight for the compensation they deserve. To learn more about all of our services in a free, confidential consultation, call our law offices today at (479) 316-0438.