Archive for April, 2010

Why the Insurance Company Wants to Settle Quickly

You’re in Arizona driving along, when all of a sudden a car comes out of nowhere and slams into you. You get out, call the police and exchange information. Soon, the insurance company contacts you and they want to settle.

Wow, you can’t get over how quickly this happens. Why would the insurance company want to settle so quickly?

Insurance companies are businesses. They’re in business to make money. They don’t like to pay, but they like to take in.   If the insurance company can make a quick, low settlement shortly after an accident, they’ve accomplished their goal.  Unfortunately, if  you accept a settlement and sign a release before you know the extent of your injuries and the cost of the medical bills, you are left “holding the bag.”  The $500.00 or $1,000.00 the insurance company has paid you may not cover all of the medical bills, loss of earnings and probably will leave you nothing for your pain and suffering.

To protect your interests, never settle with the insurance company when they approach you directly. Call a reputable law firm and ask for an experienced personal injury attorney, who will make sure your legal rights are protected, and that you are compensated appropriately for injuries you may have suffered.

What is soft tissue injury in a car accident?

When you’re involved in a car accident, there are many injuries that can occur.

One type of injury that is very common as a result of a car accident is a soft tissue injury. Soft tissue injury refers to an injury to those parts of your body that don’t involve bones. These are generally bruises, strains, sprains, and ligament or tendon damage.

This type of injury occurs when people are thrown about the car’s interior after vehicles collide.

The problem with soft tissue injuries is that they often go undetected long after the accident occurs. This is because they cannot be detected by x-rays and a person’s adrenaline is usually kicked into high gear so the person may not feel as though there’s anything wrong. In fact, it can sometimes take days for a person to realize they’re hurt. That’s why if you’re ever involved in a car accident, you should get thoroughly checked out by a doctor. Never just assume you’re ok.

There’s another side to soft tissue injury as well. Soft tissue injuries could involve internal bleeding, which can be very serious. So even if you have no bruising, soreness, or any physical symptoms at all, get to a doctor as soon as possible to make sure any injuries are diagnosed.

There can be some symptoms that will let you know you have soft tissue damage. These include:

• body aches
• back and neck pain
• dizziness
• memory loss
• fatigue

If these symptoms are left untreated, they can lead to chronic pain or other problems that can remain with you for the rest of your life. That’s why you should go straight to the hospital or medical provider after any car accident to ensure your injuries are diagnosed and treated.

Never accept a monetary settlement at the scene of an accident; instead, call a car accident attorney, so that your rights will be protected.