Free Consultations 24/7
Home > Blog > Questions from ...
Hurt in auto accident? Every day, we receive calls from people with questions following an auto accident. Zachary Belcher is our Intake attorney at Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy and he is here to answer those questions.
Q: I don’t like the offer the insurance company made when they decided to total my car. What can I do about it?
A: Unfortunately, given the way insurance contracts are written, there isn’t much that can be done to get significantly more once an insurance adjuster determines that your car is a total loss. Vehicles are generally insured up to their fair market.
That said, you don’t have to take the first offer—an honest conversation about what you’re willing to accept with an adjuster may work to increase the offer, even a little bit. If the final offer is unacceptable, it may be time to consider contacting an attorney.
Q: I was in an accident and took an offer from the insurance company to pay my bills and pain and suffering the following week. A few weeks later, I found out I need to have surgery for a torn ligament that was not initially diagnosed. Can I still have the car insurance company pay for it?
A: Likely, the answer is no. When you receive payment for your injuries from an insurance company, you usually sign a liability release prior to receiving the check. That release legally protects the insurance company from any further payments for injuries from the accident.
If you were hurt in an accident, it is always worth consulting with an attorney before accepting any offer from the insurance company for your injuries. Insurance companies’ main concern is wrapping up claims quickly and cheaply. By taking an offer before the full extent of your injuries comes to light, you take the risk that something serious may develop. If you were hurt in an accident, it is always best to talk to an experienced auto accident attorney before even discussing your injuries with an insurance adjuster.
Zachary Belcher joined Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy and ensures that every individual who contacts the firm receives outstanding service and support throughout the intake process.
Zack graduated from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 2015 and has handled more than 500 injury cases for clients injured in automobile accidents. He understands the stressful and life-altering situations clients face before seeking a personal injury attorney.
Contact our Cleveland Auto Accident Attorneys
Don’t let an auto accident consume your life. Let our Cleveland auto accident attorneys do the heavy lifting and purse the compensation you are owed for you injuries. Call us today at (216) 230 – 6352 or complete a free initial consultation form online.
Mar
25, 2024
Even when maintained, set up, and operated safely, semi-trucks still pose risks to both their drivers and other drivers on Ohio’s roads. That’s because they outweigh the average passenger vehicle 20:1. Unfortunately, semi-trucks aren’t always hooked up properly or safely, and when they aren’t, devastating accidents can occur. One of the most dangerous events that […]
18, 2024
Patients are often required to sign release forms before undergoing many types of medical treatments, from major surgeries to minor outpatient procedures. These forms are intended to acknowledge the patient’s consent to the procedure and understanding of the risks involved. However, many patients wonder whether these release forms protect doctors, surgeons, and hospitals from malpractice […]
11, 2024
Proving medical malpractice is notoriously difficult. That’s because every patient is different, and bad outcomes can happen even when doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare providers are thorough, attentive, and follow all protocols and guidelines when treating patients. In addition to being difficult to prove, doctors, surgeons, and other providers rarely admit to malpractice when it […]
04, 2024
When people are hospitalized, they and their loved ones expect for them to get better. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen, and sometimes, their health declines because they contract diseases that are primarily found in hospitals. One of the most dreaded hospital-related illnesses is an intestinal illness caused by a bacteria called Clostridioides difficile, or C. […]
Feb
26, 2024
One of the most common traffic violations committed by any driver is driving with a burned-out headlight, taillight, brake light, or turn signal. While these traffic violations can be dangerous for drivers of pickup trucks, sedans, and SUVs, they can be extremely hazardous for drivers of semi-trucks—and the people driving near them. Burned out semi-truck […]
Accessibility Tools