After suffering injuries in a car accident, the medical bills begin adding up quickly. A ride in an ambulance, X-rays, radiological tests and emergency life-saving measures can all be expensive, and that is just what may happen in a Minnesota emergency room. If doctors believe a crash victim needs more extensive medical care, he or she could end up spending days in the hospital. Combining this with other financial losses such as missed work, and that first settlement offer from the insurance company begins to look pretty good.
Some quick money may feel like the right thing to do, but it could backfire. More than likely, that first settlement offer from the insurance company will barely cover, if it even covers, those initial medical bills in the immediate aftermath of the accident. If an individual has not even received a bill, it is probably not a good idea to accept that offer. Insurance companies often count on injured victims to feel financially stressed in order to persuade them to take that first check.
However, it is not necessary to do so. In fact, no one is required to take that first offer. It would be wise to at least wait for a long-term prognosis after being injured. Knowing what kind of health care needs will be necessary in the future are not always apparent right away. A victim will have a better idea of what he or she faces in the future once doctors can provide that information.
Having as much information as possible before accepting an insurance company’s settlement offer will make a difference. Instead of panicking about money and accepting the first check an agent presents, it would make more sense to look at the situation logically, do some calculations and then send an informed response to begin the negotiation process. Individuals who are not sure where to start could benefit from consulting with a Minnesota attorney to determine the best way forward