Is your treatment finished?
It's hard to value a claim while you're still being treated. If your doctor expects more appointments, therapy or procedures, those costs belong in the claim.
Settling before you know where your recovery ends can leave you paying for treatment yourself.
Is everything counted?
- Medical bills so far, including ambulance, ER, imaging and therapy.
- Treatment you're still likely to need.
- Pay you lost from missed work.
- Out of pocket costs like prescriptions, mileage to appointments and help at home.
- The way the injuries have affected your daily life.
The 3-Point Claim Check
- 1
An injury
You were hurt, even if it didn't seem serious at first.
- 2
Someone else at fault
Another driver or company caused the crash.
- 3
Insurance coverage
There's a policy that may cover what happened.
Read the release
A settlement usually comes with a release, a document that ends your claim against the driver and their insurer in exchange for the payment.
Check exactly what it covers. Some releases are broad and can include claims you haven't thought about yet.
Who else may need paying back?
If your health insurer, Medicare or Medicaid paid any of your bills, they may have a right to be repaid from your settlement. That can change how much you actually keep.
Watch the deadline
Negotiating doesn't stop the clock. In Arizona and Georgia, the general deadline to file an injury lawsuit is two years from the accident, and much shorter notice rules apply to claims against the government.
How long to file