If you are involved in an accident, should you accept a check from anyone? The answer is no—at least, not without legal representation. Unfortunately, some victims of car accidents accept a cash or check settlement when they are entitled to a lot more. They think a few hundred or even a few thousand dollars is a great deal, when in reality their repair costs and hospital bills could total tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars more. And once they accept this money, it may be all they get. The insurance company would consider the settlement paid in full, and might be unwilling to negotiate any more.
If you are the victim of a car accident, the first thing to do after getting medical help and filing a police report is to contact the Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. Our initial consultation is free, and we can end up helping you get a much higher settlement than if you simply accept a check from an insurance company at first offer.
Where Accidents Occur
We often see this type of check settlement in “minor” accidents. These accidents might seem minor at the time, but can cost more than the people involved realize. For example, what looks like a small dent in your bumper can mean replacing the whole thing. What feels like a minor headache could be a concussion that requires time off work and rehabilitation. Accepting a check means you might end up paying the majority of the cost yourself.
Minor accidents often happen in public spaces, such as the parking lots of parks, stadiums, hiking areas, grocery stores, and sports and entertainment arenas, like the Talking Stick Resort Arena.
How Should I Handle the Settlement?
Short answer: you shouldn’t do it alone. The insurance company for the at-fault driver has a legal team working hard on their side to minimize the amount they have to pay. You need to have someone working hard on your side to make sure your medical expenses, lost wages, car damages, and other bills relating to the accident are covered. You shouldn’t discuss settlements or any other details of the case with the other person’s insurance company or even your own insurance company without having a lawyer to review the facts and help you answer questions.
If you are in an accident, it is in your best interest to get a free consultation from our team so you know how best to proceed. If someone offers you cash or a check for your injuries, check with us first. Thank them and tell them you’ll get back to them, and bring the information to us to review before you accept.