Car accidents can be disruptive, emotionally taxing and their effects can last for a long time after the actual event.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, the physical, financial and psychological impact can be devastating, especially when the accident was caused due to someone else’s fault or negligence.

Injured victims face weeks or months of hospitalization, years of continuous medical attention and rehabilitation. Meanwhile, their finances go into a tail-spin if they’re unable to work. Relationships  and social life may completely break down. Depression, anxiety, alcohol/drug-dependence may result from being temporarily or permanently disabled.

Personal injury laws permit the injured person to seek compensation from those whose negligence, carelessness or intentional flouting of safety norms caused the accident. Additionally, Ontario residents are entitled to seek no-fault accident benefits from their own insurance company.

An experienced Belleville personal injury lawyer can provide the right advice, assistance and advocacy.

Settlement Issues

Handling with complex medical, legal and insurance issues can be challenging, especially when you’re seriously injured and immobilized. Dealing with insurance companies can be frustrating and time-consuming.

We often forget that they are for-profit organizations, focused on protecting their own business interests. Their claims-adjusters are highly-trained, educated and experienced people whose interest would obviously be that of their employer’s.

Delays, disputes, denial of claims and other tactics could test your patience. There may be technical reasons cited, your policy limits quoted, attempts to prove that you were partially responsible for your injuries etc.

Taking the case to trial would mean another lengthy and complicated process.

Keeping these in mind, when the at-fault party suggests that you settle the matter mutually between yourselves, is it a good idea or not?

Private Settlements

Many people consider the option of a private settlement between the two parties, on mutually agreed terms, without the involvement of lawyers or insurance companies.

Belleville personal injury lawyers are often asked by clients whether this is a good idea. Their main concern is that their insurance premium would go up if they informed their insurer about the collision.

However, there are certain inherent risks involved.

• It’s your duty to inform your insurance company even if you don’t plan to make a claim.
• You may have suffered “minor” injuries, but they could turn out to be more serious later
• If the damage to your vehicle is minor and no one’s injured, you may be able to settle mutually without much risk.
• If someone is injured, it’s important to inform the insurance company and the police.
• If there were other passengers in the car, the risks are higher, because they have two to three years to file a personal injury claim
• If there were any minor children in the car, they too have a long statute of limitations period within which they can file a claim
• Agreeing to make or take cash payments privately leaves you vulnerable to more claims in future.
• If the person was uninsured, didn’t have a valid driving license or was driving a borrowed car, there could be issues down the line.

In general, quick cash settlements carry their own risks. Contact an experienced Belleville personal injury lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected.