Within days of a serious accident, your phone will likely ring. On the other end is a friendly-sounding insurance adjuster representing the at-fault driver. They will express concern for your well-being, tell you they want to resolve things quickly, and offer you a check.
For an injured victim watching medical bills pile up while missing time from work, that check can look like a lifeline. But taking it is almost always a massive mistake. Here is why you should never accept the first settlement offer without speaking to a trial lawyer.
1. The First Offer is Always a Lowball
Insurance companies are for-profit corporations. Their primary goal is not to ensure you are fairly compensated; it is to protect their bottom line. The adjuster’s job is to close your file for the lowest possible amount. They know you are vulnerable, stressed, and likely unaware of the true long-term value of your claim. The first offer is designed to test whether you will accept pennies on the dollar out of desperation.
2. You Cannot Predict Future Medical Costs
If you accept a settlement just days or weeks after an accident, you are guessing at your future medical needs. What if your physical therapy takes six months instead of six weeks? What if that lingering back pain actually requires spinal surgery down the road? Once you sign a settlement release, your case is closed forever. You cannot go back to the insurance company and ask for more money, meaning you will be forced to pay for future treatments out of your own pocket.
3. It Ignores Non-Economic Damages
A quick settlement offer usually only covers your immediate emergency room bill and some property damage. It almost never includes fair compensation for “non-economic damages”—the immense physical pain, emotional trauma, and loss of quality of life you have suffered.
4. You Forfeit Your Leverage
The only real leverage you have against a multi-billion-dollar insurance company is the threat of a lawsuit. When you hire an aggressive trial law firm, the dynamic changes instantly. Insurers know they can’t bully a firm that is willing to take them to court.
Level the Playing Field with Howe.Law Injury & Accident Lawyers
Never sign away your rights for a fraction of what you deserve. At Howe.Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, our trial attorneys meticulously calculate the true value of your case—including future medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. We handle all negotiations with the insurance company so you can focus entirely on your recovery.
Don’t let the insurance company shortchange you. Call Howe.Law Injury & Accident Lawyers 24/7 at (844) 876-4357 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We charge absolutely no fees unless we win your case.
