Do not settle your claim before you know the full extent of your injuries. If you ever settle your claim and sign a release, you fully and finally settle and release your claim. You can never recover any more money. Releases contain language that you are fully and finally settling and completely resolving your claim for all injuries from the car accident, whether known or unknown. You do not want to settle your claim and then find out that you need additional medical care or have long-lasting pain, problems or disability. Maybe the worst mistake that a car accident victim or their lawyer can make is to settle a case and then discover that the injured party needs surgery a month later.

Many times back or neck problems linger for a long period of time and it’s only after an MRI or other detailed study that herniated discs or underlying trauma is identified. We have represented car accident victims who tried to recover without surgery through physical therapy, strengthening and exercise, injections, and other therapy, but finally resort to surgery. Typically, medical providers want to try the least invasive and conservative treatments first, and only after those have failed to opt for surgery. You do not want to settle a claim for $10,000 and then later find out you need a $50,000 surgery.

Often, you are not 100% after you receive treatment and may have a residual disability or disfigurement. Any treatment can only last until you are at your maximum medical improvement. But people have lasting symptoms--pain, lack of mobility, loss of function, lack of ability to do things, incapacity to work at full potential, and other disabilities. These are part of damages.