What If I Get a Low Settlement Offer After a Car Crash in Mobile?

Getting a low settlement offer after a Mobile car crash means the victim is likely not being fairly compensated. Victims who accept these offers without knowing their rights could end up paying thousands of dollars out of their own pocket.

Below, our experienced Mobile car accident lawyers discuss low settlement offers after a car wreck, including why insurers make them, why they are too low, and how to respond if you get one.

What If I Receive a Low Settlement Offer?

Calling an experienced injury lawyer before you give any response to the insurance company is a great first response for many reasons. To start with, once you hire an attorney, you have a legal advocate who understands when an offer is too low. Additionally, your lawyer can dispute these unfair offers on your behalf. Having an attorney working for you ensures your legal and financial interests are protected.

How Do I Know If My Settlement Offer Is Too Low?

Did you receive a settlement offer just days or weeks after being injured in a Mobile car accident? That may seem like good news, but the reality is those quick low offers are almost never enough to cover all your damages.

Here are some questions you can ask to help you understand whether an offer is a fair one:

• Are you still recovering or getting treated for your injuries?
• Do you need to have your vehicle repaired or replaced as a result of the collision?
• Will you need any surgery to aid you in your physical recovery?
• Do you need additional physical therapy or rehabilitation?
• How have your car accident injuries changed the quality of your day-to-day life?
• Are there activities you can no longer do because of your injuries?
• Did your injuries cause you to miss work?

There are more questions to ask, but if you can answer, “yes” to even one of these, the offer is too low. If you accept that offer, you will likely end up paying for the remaining damages, potentially thousands of dollars, out of your own pocket.

Unfortunately, many crash victims may not know their rights or what steps to take to protect their interests, so what can you do if you get a low settlement offer?

How Can I Respond to an Insurer Pressuring Me to Accept a Low Offer?

There are several steps you can take if an insurer is pressuring you to take a low offer. The first and most important think to know is that it will not be the only offer you receive. The insurance company may try to get you to believe this, especially if they think you do not know your rights, but it is absolutely not true.

Stay calm and remember you have legal rights in this matter. You are not required to answer right away. Instead of letting the insurance company pressure you into accepting something you are not sure about, tell them you have to discuss the offer with your lawyer.

Why Does It Take So Much Time to Calculate the Value of My Claim?

Properly calculating the value of your claim takes time. For starters, you need to complete your medical treatment. Here are some reasons why:

• Delayed Injuries: Some crash injuries, like a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may take time to fully show all their symptoms.
• Injuries May Worsen: You may not be aware yet that you may need more treatment to aid recovery, such as if you experience secondary complications.
• Multiple Types of Damages: Medical costs are not the only damages that you can be compensated for. If you rush to accept a settlement offer, you may miss being compensated for other damages, such as lost wages, future care needs, property losses and more.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we know how to accurately assess and value an injury claim, because it involves more than just your medical costs. We work hard to get the maximum possible compensation for your damages.

Why Do Insurance Companies Make Such Low Settlement Offers?

Insurance companies often make low settlement offers for these reasons:

Protecting The Bottom Line

Insurance companies are businesses. As such, their main goal is to maximize profits. That is not possible if they pay the full value of every claim. What they are really doing when they offer you a low settlement is seeing how little they can legally get away with paying out on a claim.

Testing Your Knowledge

Most insurance companies assume you do not know the full value of your claim and expect you to accept a quick compensation. When people are injured and struggling financially, even a low offer can seem good initially. They know that often, if a victim is not getting any legal guidance, they can probably get away with paying an offer than is less than the full value of the claim.

Negotiation Tactics

With an attorney, the first settlement offer from the insurance company is usually a starting point for negotiations. They expect your lawyer to counter with a higher amount, so they start low to leave room for negotiation.

Incomplete Information

The initial offer may be based on incomplete information about your injuries or damages. If you did not include detailed evidence into your claim, such as proof of lost wages, it could have an impact on the settlement you are offered.

Avoiding Litigation

Insurance companies may offer a quick, low settlement to avoid the costs and risks associated with going to court. Settling early helps them to minimize financial burdens while speeding up the claims process.

Key Signs the Insurance Company is Offering You Too Little for Your Claim

Understanding these tactics can help you better navigate the negotiation process and advocate for a fair settlement. Watch out for these signs that an insurance company might be lowballing your claim:

• Quick Settlement Offer: The insurance company offers a settlement immediately after you file your claim. This is likely an attempt to rush you to settle before you talk to a lawyer or understand the potential value of your claim.
• Pressure to Accept: You are being pressured to accept a quick offer, suggesting it is the best you can get or that it is non-negotiable.
• Disputing Your Injuries: The insurer may downplay the severity of your injuries or suggest they pre-existed before the crash.
• Ignoring or Dismissing Evidence: If the insurance company ignores key evidence or dismisses it without consideration, it could mean they are trying to reduce your payout.
• Blaming You for the Accident: Attempting to shift blame onto you is another sign the insurance company is trying to reduce the value of your claim.
• Lack of Explanation: The insurer provides a low offer without a clear explanation or breakdown of how they arrived at that amount.
• Vague Answers: The insurer gives vague answers to questions or requests for more information.

Received a Low Settlement Offer? Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys for Legal Help

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we are deeply committed to helping injured victims recover the compensation they deserve. We have recovered millions in compensation for our clients.

Worried about the cost? We offer a free initial consultation to discuss potential legal options and answer your legal questions. If we determine you have a valid case and you choose our firm to represent you, there are no upfront costs or fees to pay. We only get paid if you do.

Call to learn more about your legal options. 251-888-8888