Have you just been injured in an accident? And now the insurance company is suddenly calling your phone and offering you a settlement? Well, this is not a case of them being nice or generous…most of the time, they are trying to wrap things up quickly before you realize what your case is worth.
Below, this personal injury attorney in Lakeland, Florida is going to explain why insurance companies are often quick to push a settlement.
They want to settle before you know what your case is worth.
One of the biggest reasons an insurance company rushes to settle is because they want to pay you as little as possible. When your injury claim is still brand new, you are still in the “figuring out” phase. You may be in pain, stressed, missing work and going back and forth to doctor appointments. And at that point, you honestly don’t know what the recovery is going to look like yet.
What if the pain gets worse next week? What if that small injury turns into months of physical therapy?
If you accept a settlement early, it is usually before your doctors even have the full diagnosis. Some injuries don’t become noticeable until days or weeks after the crash.
And once you settle, you sign a release that ends your claim permanently. Yes, even if your condition gets worse and your medical bills increase in the future, you cannot do anything about it.
It’s essential to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney in Lakeland, Florida before agreeing to anything. They can help you understand the value of your claim before the insurance company locks you into an amount that does not fully cover your damages.
They are trying to stop you from hiring a lawyer.
Injury claims usually get more expensive for insurance companies once you hire an attorney. This is because your attorney will make sure you are not being taken advantage of.
Once you get a personal injury attorney involved, you don’t have to deal with the insurance adjuster’s pressure and tactics directly. The insurance company loses the ability to control the process in its favor. That is why adjusters rush you before you can speak with a lawyer.
Sometimes the pressure is subtle. For example, they may tell you the offer is “fair” or that it is “standard.” But it can also be much more obvious. For example, they may claim that the offer will expire soon or tell you that it is the best you are going to get. They may even imply that an attorney will only slow the process and make the situation more stressful for you.
When someone is unrepresented, the insurance company has far more ability to shape the narrative. A trusted personal injury attorney in Lakeland, Florida can serve as a buffer between you and the insurance company. And that alone can prevent you from being rushed into a decision you will later regret.
They want to settle before your evidence makes your claim stronger.
Another common reason insurance companies rush you is that strong evidence tends to make injury claims more expensive for them. Early in a claim, there may be limited documentation available.
But as time passes, evidence grows. Doctors document your symptoms. MRI and CT scans reveal what is truly happening inside your body. Physical therapists track your limitations. Your employer can confirm the time missed from work and the income lost. If the injury affects your ability to do your job long-term, that can change the entire value of your case.
Insurance companies are aware of this, which is why they try to settle quickly when the paper trail is still short. The less documentation you have, the easier it is for them to argue that your injuries were not serious.
Working with a personal injury attorney can help. They can make sure you are not pressured into settling before the facts are fully developed.
Looking for a personal injury attorney in Lakeland, Florida?
If the insurance company is rushing you to settle after an accident, it’s essential that you talk to an experienced personal injury attorney in Lakeland, Florida. Tonya Stewart and her legal team can evaluate the true value of your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case.