With the busy summer driving season just ahead, Baltimore drivers will need to be on the lookout for each other on the congested roadways. Of course, even when the roads are not busy at all, a single negligent driver can leave another person injured in an auto accident.
Recently, for example, a 65-year-old woman failed to stop at a stop sign, causing her to hit a Ford Escape. While the woman was injured herself, the driver of the Escape was pronounced dead at a hospital.
In cases like the above where a person is injured or killed as a result of a negligent driver, the injured party or family members of the deceased may wonder what they can do to obtain some relief. For some, it may appear that they can obtain compensation fairly soon after an accident if the liability is clear, such as where it is unquestionable that the accident occurred because a person ran a stop sign.
However, while individuals may be given settlement offers from an insurance company promising to pay for their damages, individuals should be cautious about these early offers. For one, the person may not have realized the full extent of their injury at an early stage. Some injuries take weeks or months after an accident to appear or worsen.
In addition, an early settlement offer may not take into account a person's pain and suffering, or other measures of damages that may be available. Accordingly, individuals should not settle a claim until they know they are fully compensated for all of their injuries. It is vital to consult with an experienced attorney who can help determine what a proper settlement would be, and when to accept another's offer.