The Other Driver Doesn’t Want to Go Through Insurance. What Should I do?
No one wants their car insurance rates to increase because of an accident. When you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the other driver may try to tempt you not to file a claim with your insurance. They may offer to pay you a settlement themselves and avoid the “hassle” of making a claim. Remember that the other driver is doing this for their own benefit and not to make things right with you. There are important reasons why you should always make an insurance claim if you’ve been involved in a car accident. These reasons include:
You Could be Seriously Injured
Even if you feel like you weren’t injured in an accident, it is always important to seek medical treatment. You may have serious injuries, such as whiplash, that don’t present themselves right away. Agreeing to accept money from an individual without going through insurance is not advised if you don’t know the extent of your injuries. You could have thousands of dollars in medical bills, and it can take months before you know exactly how much your injury costs. Medical treatment can be very expensive, and it is unlikely that the other driver will be able to fully compensate you for your bills.
You Could Miss Work
If you’ve been injured in an accident, it is likely that you will miss some amount of work. Missing work could add up to a serious expense. You may be entitled to lost wages, and it is unlikely that an individual offering a settlement will be able to cover your losses.
You Could Experience Pain and Suffering
Without going through insurance or consulting an attorney, there is no way to know the value of any pain and suffering you experienced as a result of the accident. Pain and suffering is a key component of a personal injury case, and if you’ve been seriously injured, you may deserve compensation for it. It is unlikely that an individual is going to be able to adequately compensate you for your pain and suffering.
Contact a Trusted Attorney
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident, you may need a trusted personal injury attorney on your side. The attorneys at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk have over 30 years of experience helping car accident victims. Contact us online or call us at 1-800-538-4878 today to schedule your free consultation.