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If You’ve Suffered a Catastrophic Injury, an Early Settlement Can Be a Serious Mistake
If someone else’s negligence leaves you with a catastrophic injury, your life can be upended in that moment, and you’ll likely suffer serious consequences far into your future. This is exactly why it’s so important to have a full measure of your injuries before you even consider settling with the insurance company involved. If you or someone you love has been catastrophically injured by someone else’s negligence, you need the professional legal counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney on your side.
Catastrophic Injuries
The legal definition of a catastrophic injury is an injury that leaves you unable to remain gainfully employed, and an injury of this magnitude can obviously have serious implications for every facet of your life, including your relationships, career, family, and more. Injuries that commonly reach the level of catastrophic include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burn injuries
- Amputations
- Multiple fractures
- Damage to internal organs
A catastrophic injury can lead to a lifetime of expense and physical disability.
Your Damages
Catastrophic injuries obviously amplify the issue of damages to the next level. You will not only be facing immense medical expenses but will also need to contend with job loss and extreme emotional pain and suffering. The abrupt change in your ability to move forward through life can also put a strain on your relationships. All told, it can be difficult to adequately calculate the nearly immeasurable damages that are typically associated with catastrophic injuries, and you should never settle with the insurance company involved before you have seriously addressed this matter with a well-qualified personal injury attorney.
The Settlement Offer
The insurance company covering your claim understands exactly how costly catastrophic injury claims are, and you can rest assured that it is motivated to compensate you as minimally as possible. If the accident was clearly not your fault, the insurance company might swoop in with a swift settlement offer, and this offer should immediately give you pause.
For example, if you were catastrophically injured in a car accident in which the at-fault motorist T-bones your car directly into the driver’s seat while running a red light (that four witnesses at the scene attest to and that is caught on video), the insurance company won’t be able to contest the at-fault driver’s fault, so the surest way to reduce your payout is to prompt you to settle early for a significant amount that’s still well below a just amount.
Some insurance companies are not averse to preying on the vulnerability of seriously injured accident victims, and being offered a significant sum early on in the process can feel like a relief. Never sign off on a settlement before having it greenlighted by an experienced personal injury attorney.
It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced San Francisco Personal Injury Attorney
The dedicated and compassionate personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Scott Righthand – proudly serving the San Francisco area – are committed to aggressively advocating for your just and complete compensation. We care about your case, so please don’t hesitate to schedule your free consultation by contacting us today.
