Once you formally accept an insurance settlement for your motor vehicle accident losses, including injuries, your case is officially closed. Your acceptance indicates that you understand and agree with the insurer’s decision.
If it turns out your injuries are more severe than your doctors initially believed, you will have little, if any, success trying to reopen your claim. This means doing all you can to ensure your settlement adequately addresses your harm.
The statute of limitations
Every state imposes time limits on when you can file a motor vehicle accident claim. Under Texas law, you have two years in which to file. Insurance companies want to settle accident claims as quickly as possible, but it is wise to wait until you are sure about your injuries.
Do not accept a rushed settlement offer, especially without legal counsel. Always remember that you have time to delay your claim until you know the full scope of your harm.
Get medical opinions
Regardless of how you feel after your accident, always seek at least one medical assessment. Some potentially severe injuries, like those affecting the brain, come with delayed symptoms that may worsen your condition over time.
Even a relatively minor broken bone could develop complications requiring additional medical care. If your doctor has concerns about a worsening injury or the possibility of complications, you should consider waiting to file.
Future medical expenses
Part of the economic damages you can seek in motor vehicle accident claims covers future medical expenses. However, this does not fall into place automatically. You must prove that your injury will require ongoing medical care, usually with an official report or statement from your healthcare providers.
The more you know about accident and injury compensation laws, the better prepared you are to get the financial restitution you deserve before finalizing your claim.