Howard County Accident Victim Wins Settlement
It was reported that Sandra Jenkins of Odenton won an $188,000 settlement from the insurance company of the driver who rear-ended a car in which Jenkins was a passenger. The settlement came by jury decision after a two-day trial.
Jenkins had originally claimed $300,000 in damages in December of 2007. However, the last settlement offer made by the insurance company was only $37,000. The Jenkins case illustrates one of the many reasons for those injured in auto accidents in Maryland to seriously consider hiring legal representation.
The report includes comments made by Jenkins’s attorney, who stated that he thought the last settlement offer made by the insurance company was a “low-ball offer.” Sometimes insurance companies will offer far less than the initial claim in the hopes of gaining a fast and cheap settlement. Although the temptation is to settle quickly, especially when medical bills are mounting, this course of action is not necessarily in the accident victim’s best interests.
Car accident injuries can take a long time to resolve and many months can pass before one knows the full extent of damages. In Jenkins’ case, she suffered a permanent nerve condition that affected her arm as well as permanent injuries to her neck. Had she taken the insurance company’s settlement offer, she may not have had adequate means to pay for medical expenses.
If you have any questions about an auto injury accident such as this one, please contact the attorneys of Meng & Alpert LLC at 866-444-6363. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to an auto accident, our experienced Maryland car accident lawyers are available to speak with you and provide a free consultation.
