It always happens when you least expect, when it’s the most inconvenient, and every other time between. After an accident, most people just want the claim to be over with as soon as possible. They don’t want to prolong the process, they don’t want to cause problems with the other party, and they want to get money back as soon as possible.
Insurance companies know this, and they take advantage of these facts. Before you are done treating, or even before you start treating, they will give you an offer, hoping that you will take the amount and the case will be closed.
Now, to some, this might seem pretty good. You get paid back fast, the case is over quickly, your worries are over. But, the real trouble comes later.
- Insurance companies are just trying to protect their bottom line and investors. They do not have your best outcome in mind, meaning they will push for an early settlement. When you are aware of their tactics, you can advocate for yourself better during a settlement process.
Why Insurance Companies Want a Quick Settlement?
Minimize Payout
If you haven’t worked on a claim with an insurance company before, you might believe that what you’re offered is what you will get. You might think that an insurance company will do everything they can to make things right. But insurance companies have other motives. They have investors that need to be paid, and the best way to profit is to pay out as little as possible.
Also, when an insurance company pays early, they pay less. If you get into a car accident, you’ll most likely start treating for any injuries you received. As you continue to treat, you might find that injuries are more serious and you’ll continue to accrue medical bills. The insurance companies don’t want this, so they try to get you to settle quickly.
Once you settle with the insurance, you sign a document stating you will not pursue anything else on that claim. That means that if you settle for $5,000, but you find out a few weeks later that you need a $50,000 surgery, you cannot go back to the insurance company to get the money for that surgery.
This is why when you have a case with Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we make sure you feel the best that you can, and you have gotten all the treatment you need before we begin negotiating with insurance companies.
Preventing Attorney Involvement
Because personal injury attorneys know how insurance companies work, and they try their best to help their clients get fully compensated, insurance companies do not want you to work with them. They also know that attorneys will do all the work they can do to make sure all your injuries are best resolved.
Insurance companies know that the more you treat, the more often you find underlying injuries. Personal injury attorneys have dealt with many of these car accident cases, so they know what to look for. Also, once you get an attorney representative, insurance companies can’t ask you too many questions without speaking with the attorney first. This means that they can’t get incorrect information from you, as they often try to do.
Take Advantage of Stress
Car accidents and claims can be very stressful. You have to worry about getting a car fixed and paid for, getting care for you and family members, and missing work or other activities because they’re injured. They know the medical bills coming in can look scary, so they will pressure you to just sign off and be done.
Again, once you sign, you cannot go back to them if you find out there are more car expenses or if the medical bills continue to pile up. It is important for you to make sure that you don’t feel the pressure to settle until you are fully done with treatment or until you feel better.
Tactics to Pressure Settlement
There are a few ways that the insurance will pressure you to settle. An insurance adjuster might tell you “this is the best offer you’ll get,” to get you to think your case is not worth much. They might take a long time responding, so you feel everything is delayed, and you are rushed to move forward.
What To Consider Before Settling?
If you do have an offer from an insurance company, there are several things for you to consider.
- Are your injuries still present? If you are still getting care or if you still feel any pain, this is a sign for you that you’re not done. You don’t want to settle until you know that you’re not going to need anymore care in the future.
- There can be more that you’re entitled to than you think. Not only can you ask for a settlement based on the medical records, but you can also include lost wages, pain and suffering, future treatment, as well as property damage and mileage costs.
- Once you settle the case is closed. As previously stated, you cannot go back a few weeks later if you start to feel more pain or you find out you need a surgery. Settlements are final, and insurance companies know this. They want you to take the smaller amount before you accrue more costs.
If you are dealing with an insurance company trying to get you to settle early, there are many things you can do. Do not sign any documents without legal representation. If you have an offer, you can speak with an attorney first and see if it is worthwhile to take.
You should also keep track and make notes of every conversation you have with insurance companies, so you can go back and review it. Make sure everything is adding up with the costs you accrue and the offer made.
Everything you track will matter for you to make a decision in the end. Also, you should know that you get to make the decision, not the insurance. You have the right to accept or refuse any offer you get. No matter what you are told, you are in control.
Call A Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been in a car accident and are dealing with insurance companies, you deserve to have someone on your side. If you are feeling pressured by insurance companies, don’t settle quickly. Call our office at 801-500-4000 for help. You can get a free consultation on your case and get professional help with your case.
