Litigation is a highway with many exits. This is a principle that every car accident victim should know. Insurance companies are often unwilling to settle at a fair value of a claim prior to the filing of a lawsuit. A recent case best illustrates this scenario.
An injury victim sustained serious personal injuries as a result of a head on collision. The injury victim was driving on a two-lane road when he was struck head on from a car that crossed the double yellow line. An ambulance transported the injury victim to a local hospital. Thereafter, he treated with several medical professionals until he reached a medical endpoint.
Once his treatment was completed, the injury victim submitted a settlement demand to the other driver’s automobile insurance company. The insurance company made a settlement proposal, but their proposal was significantly undervalued. It quickly became clear that the insurance company was not going to value the case correctly and that a lawsuit was going to be needed if the injury victim was to receive full value for his injuries. Not willing to accept the insurance company’s low evaluation, the injury victim made the decision to file a lawsuit against the other driver. Shortly after filing suit, and before the insurance company hired a defense attorney for the other driver, the insurance company reevaluated the case and a settlement was achieved at full value.
When hiring a personal injury attorney, it is important that the injury victim inquires with the attorney on her/his litigation experience and whether she/he will file suit if the insurance company does not offer sufficient value for the claim. Hamblett & Kerrigan has a long history of representing injury victims in automobile/car accident cases. Let Hamblett & Kerrigan use their experience to your advantage.
Kevin P. Rauseo is a former director at Hamblett & Kerrigan, P.A. and has since been appointed as a Justice for the New Hampshire Circuit Court. Please feel free to contact another attorney at Hamblett & Kerrigan to discuss your legal issues.