You should be cautious about accepting an offer of settlement from an insurance company without first consulting with an attorney.

Before settling a claim, you should first make sure that all of your physical injuries have been treated, that you have a final prognosis from a physician, and that your physician is not recommending any additional treatment that has not been accounted for. Sometimes specific injuries may not show up until days, weeks or months after the accident. Additionally, you may have to undergo a course of conservative treatment as recommended by your physician before a surgeon would recommend you undergoing surgery.

Before accepting any offer of settlement from an insurance company, you should consult with an attorney who can outline all the things you should consider before accepting a settlement offer, and can make sure you fully understand all of the consequences of accepting a settlement offer.

Kristal M. Cowger, Attorney at Law

Blado Kiger Bolan, Tacoma, Wash.