Should I Take My New York Car Accident Settlement to Court?
Dealing with an automobile accident is never fun, especially if you have incurred any kind of personal injury in the process. There are many damages you can suffer as a result of a car accident, both economic and non-economic. The economic damages are easier to estimate the value of because they are more tangible. Things like medical expenses and property damages are considered economic damages. Non-economic damages are those things that are not as tangible, but still real losses you have suffered as a result of your accident. They may include things like pain and suffering or even post-traumatic stress disorder.
However you decide to navigate your auto accident claim, we know that your primary concern is that you are receiving as much compensation as you are rightfully owed. Recovering from a car accident is hard and can be costly, so it is only natural for you to want to get everything you are due. Many people mistakenly believe that the insurance companies will always do their best to reward those who were injured. However, this is not always the case.
Every Payment Is a Loss to the Insurance Company
Every insurance company is a business, and every business has one primary objective: to maximize their profits while minimizing their losses. It follows, then, that every payment made is a loss to the insurance company. They have every reason to minimize the settlement you receive, regardless of whether or not you were at fault for your accident. Therefore, when dealing with insurance companies, you should always consider the following factors: initial and pending settlement offers, venue concerns, and the potential fees and expenses that may go into pursuing a case.
It is in the insurance company’s best interest to resolve a car accident claim as quickly and cheaply as possible. Because of this, you will likely receive an initial settlement offer right away. Many people do not realize that they have the option to negotiate the settlement offer they receive. There is no reason for you not to sleep on an initial offer, especially as such offers tend to be far less than how much your case is actually worth.
It can be difficult to get the true valuation of a claim on your own. There are many websites that claim to be able to do it, but they are not always 100% reliable, as they do not have the capacity to assess the various dynamic factors of an accident claim. If you are concerned about getting the truest possible valuation of your claim, it may be beneficial for you to procure an experienced New York car accident attorney.
You may also find it surprising to know that where your case is pending matters. In other words, the location of your pending case has the potential to significantly impact your case’s value. In turn, this may influence your decision to accept a pending settlement offer. Sometimes, you may be able to choose where your lawsuit will be filed. An automobile accident attorney may be able to help guide you to the more plaintiff-friendly venues in New York.
Finally, you should know that pursuing a car accident claim can be expensive. Although the extent of your costs will depend on your specific case, you should expect to invest a sizable amount of time and sometimes even money into pursuing your claim. When it comes to taking a case to litigation, there is the potential of increased fees and expenses. Fortunately, in cases of personal injury, most attorneys will operate on a contingency basis, which may take a lot of the financial burden off your shoulders. Ultimately, whether or not you decide your case is worth the time and money it takes to take it to court is up to you.
Seeking Legal Help
If you or a loved one have recently been involved in an automobile accident in Central New York, the seasoned attorneys at Gattuso & Ciottoli PLLC may be able to help. Our offices are based in Syracuse and we proudly serve the Central New York area, including Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our hardworking New York auto accident attorneys. We have helped countless clients resolve their cases. We can help you, too.