Should You Settle With Insurers Or Take Your Monterey Personal Injury Claim To Court?
Personal injuries in Monterey can happen due to car, bike, and pedestrian accidents. Slips and falls or other mishaps that occur on someone’s property are common as well. In these and other cases, the at-fault party may have insurance coverage that can compensate you for damages you suffer. Our Monterey personal injury lawyer explains what to consider when deciding whether to accept a settlement or take your case to court.
Getting Compensation For Personal Injuries In Monterey
The Monterey County Department of Health reports that accidental injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in our area. They impact thousands of people each year and typically happen due to the reckless and negligent behavior of others involved.
Under the California Civil Code, everyone is responsible for actions or inactions that cause personal injuries to others. Compensation may be available either through insurance policies they have in place or by filing a personal injury lawsuit against them. This includes:
- Payment of your current medical bills and any ongoing costs related to your injuries;
- Reimbursement for lost wages during your recovery;
- Payment for future lost income and benefits due to ongoing impairments;
- Additional amounts for your pain and suffering.
To protect your rights in a claim, report any accident involving personal injuries to the police or other authorities immediately. Get contact information for those involved and any witnesses at the scene, take photos or gather other evidence if possible, and seek medical care right away.
You may be contacted by insurers shortly after. Before making any statements or agreeing to a settlement, speak with our Monterey personal injury lawyer first.
Settling With Insurers Versus Going To Court
Insurance companies may surprise you by offering an immediate settlement. Unfortunately, this is likely to be less than what you need or deserve. Before accepting, carefully consider your options.
Settling with insurers offers some advantages, such as being able to resolve your case in the least amount of time possible. However, they are typically quick to dispute claims, and any amounts you may be entitled to are limited by the terms of the policy.
You may want to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party through the Monterey County Civil Court instead. This is often the best course of action in the following cases:
- The at-fault party is uninsured;
- Their policy fails to cover projected costs;
- The insurance attempts to deny or otherwise dispute your claim;
- The personal injuries you suffer are severe;
- The at-fault party’s actions were particularly willful and negligent;
- There are multiple at-fault parties involved.
Discuss Your Options With Our Monterey Personal Injury Lawyer
To get the compensation you need to recover from personal injuries in Monterey, get the Allen Law Firm on your side. We can review your case and advise you on whether to settle or go to court. To discuss your options with our Monterey personal injury lawyer, contact our office and request a consultation today.
Sources:
co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/health/data-pubs/injury-and-violence
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1714.
monterey.courts.ca.gov/divisions/civil
