Being injured because another person was negligent is a traumatic experience. You might face hefty medical bills and lost wages after missing work for weeks or months. In addition, coming to terms with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of an accident can be a huge challenge.

Fortunately, personal injury law gives you the legal remedy to pursue fair compensation for your damages, including medical expenses and lost wages. However, insurance companies often discourage accident victims from hiring a personal injury lawyer in Mississippi and elsewhere by offering a quick ¾ and too low ¾ settlement offer. If you do not accept, they threaten to drag out your case for years. Sadly, many people cave in and accept these inadequate settlements. They have bills to pay and often just want to get the whole thing over with and move on.

Before accepting a settlement offer, however, talk with a reputable Mississippi personal injury lawyer. Law firms that handle accident cases understand insurance company tactics and can help you evaluate your probable long-term costs to determine adequate compensation.

Deny, delay, defend

A CNN investigation of auto insurance companies revealed that many adhered to the three D’s:

1. Deny the validity of the claim
2. Delay the settlement
3. Defend their clients in lengthy trial proceedings if necessary

In one instance, a woman ended up with $25,000 in medical bills and lost wages after a minor car accident. She was offered a $15,000 settlement.  Wisely, she took the case to court and was awarded $167,000 in damages.

Personal injury law firms in Mississippi have seen insurance companies attempt to short-change injured parties many times. In cases of serious injury, it is crucial that you speak to a personal injury lawyer before accepting an offer. Many insurance companies will attempt to minimize your probable long-term care expenses by disputing the validity of your medical diagnosis or recommended treatments. Complicated head and spine injuries can be particularly difficult to explain to a jury.

Also, be aware that most settlements come with a release form that absolves the negligent party of any further liability. If you develop serious accident-related medical problems after accepting the offer, you will not be able to request a larger sum.

No matter what kind of injury you sustained, it is worth your while to contact a Mississippi personal injury attorney as soon as possible.