The insurance process following a car accident can be a nightmare. From navigating the initial claims process to proving your damages, you are constantly on edge and living with the hope that you will receive a payout that covers your needs. After a while, any settlement offer begins to look like a good one. You have medical bills to pay, groceries to buy, and a dwindling savings account.
An initial offer in the thousands may look amazing. However, you should always take a close look at an insurance company’s first offer. It is likely it is a lowball offer that will not cover all of your damages. Accepting quickly and signing a waiver against filing suit or obtaining additional compensation can be dangerous and put you in a bad position in the future.
If you are unsure of how to handle the insurance claims process or want an experienced opinion regarding an insurer’s offer, contact the attorneys of Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. We have decades of experience helping car accident victims recover fair compensation. Call today at (312) 236-2900 to find out how we can help.
Some reasons you should not settle for the insurance company’s initial offer include:
- The insurance adjuster works for the insurer. Once you file a claim, an insurance adjuster will conduct an investigation, determine the value of your injuries and then make you an offer. You must remember that this individual works for the insurance company and has the business’s best interests in mind – not yours. The adjuster will always decide in favor of the insurer. They will also hold whatever they can against you, including things you say or the documentation you provide.
- It is a lowball offer. If the claim is in your favor, the adjuster will want to pay out as little as possible on it. Not only may this individual undervalue your claim, but they will then likely offer you less than what it is worth. The first amount is almost always a lowball offer that requires negotiation.
- You do not have a full calculation of your costs yet. You should not rely on the insurance adjuster’s calculations. Instead, you and your attorney will conduct your own investigation to determine the cost of your injuries and the value of your pain and suffering, along with establishing the documentation necessary to support these expenses. It may take some time to gather a more accurate amount for a number of reasons, including contacting experts for their opinions and waiting to see what happens with your injuries and treatments. It can take months to determine all of your injuries from an accident and the necessary treatments you may need in the future, like surgery or physical rehabilitation.
- The offer does not take your pain and suffering into account. An insurer wants to pay out a minimum amount that will cover your basic expenses. It is unlikely that the settlement offer takes into account your pain and suffering or the mental and emotional consequences of the accident. If you have suffered a great deal due to your injuries, including unmanageable physical pain, depression, anxiety, or a phobia, then you should not settle until the offer takes this into account. Your attorney will work on providing the necessary evidence of this suffering and how much you deserve to be compensated for it.
- You can get more. It is very rare for an initial insurance settlement offer to be a fair amount of compensation for your personal injuries and property damage. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can demand a higher amount based on reliable documentation. If your injuries require more than the policy limit or the insurer refuses to settle for what you deserve, Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. can take the matter to court on your behalf.
Contact Us Today
At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., we have years of experience analyzing the present and future costs associated with personal injuries from car accidents. We recognize lowball settlement offers and know how to negotiate to gain you fair compensation. We also understand when it may be better to head to court to seek what you need instead of accepting a less-than-ideal settlement. We will fully discuss with you the possibilities associated with filing a personal injury suit, enabling you to make the right decision for you and your family. If you choose to go to court, we will aggressively fight for what you deserve – and you won’t pay unless you win.
Call Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. today at (312) 236-2900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
