Factors to consider before accepting a bike accident settlement

When it comes to negotiating a settlement after you’ve been injured in a bike accident, patience is a virtue. Your first instinct may be to accept the insurance company’s initial offer and put the accident behind you. However, this is not the wisest approach. 

Before agreeing to anything, a Smyrna, TN bike accident lawyer can help you evaluate your situation and avoid mistakes. Start by asking yourself these three important questions.

Have you reached maximum medical improvement?

You should never accept a settlement offer until you’ve reached what’s known as maximum medical improvement. Maximum medical improvement (MMI) means your condition has stabilized to a point where your doctor can reasonably predict your future treatment needs and limitations. In Tennessee, accepting a settlement before reaching MMI can prevent you from recovering compensation for future care.

Once you accept a settlement, you are not allowed to ask for more money if your medical expenses and lost wages turn out to be greater than you had anticipated. This is why it’s vital to be able to accurately estimate your long-term accident-related costs.

Have you considered the value of your pain and suffering?

Tennessee personal injury law allows injured cyclists to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. That includes:

• Physical pain
• Emotional trauma
• Anxiety or PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Mental health treatment expenses

Under Tenn. Code § 29-39-102, you have the right to pursue these non-economic damages, but they’re often underestimated or left out of initial offers. If you’ve had to give up a favorite activity, attend therapy, or live with daily pain, those losses should be fully accounted for before you settle.

Why you should work with a bike accident lawyer before settling

Insurance companies often prioritize speed and savings, not your best interests. Once you accept a settlement, you waive your right to pursue additional compensation, even if new medical issues or expenses arise.

Working with a Smyrna personal injury attorney makes sure that:

• You know the true value of your case, including long-term medical costs and non-economic damages like emotional trauma.
• All sources of compensation are explored, including the driver’s policy, umbrella coverage, and any third-party liability.
• Important evidence is preserved and reviewed, such as police reports, bike damage, medical treatment records, and witness statements.
• You don’t get pressured into a lowball offer or tricked by insurance tactics.

At Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped cyclists across Middle Tennessee stand up to insurance companies and recover the compensation they need to move forward. Let us do the same for you.

Were you injured in a Tennessee motorcycle accident?

There’s no need to suffer alone due to someone else’s negligence. The experienced legal team at Weir & Kestner Injury Attorneys focuses on providing the best possible representation to victims of motorcycle accidents. 

Contact us online or call our office directly at (615) 220-4180 to schedule your free consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer and help you seek the compensation you deserve. We’ll arrange a time to meet with you at one of our offices in Smyrna, Nashville, Murfreesboro, or Chattanooga—whichever location is most convenient for you.