The insurance adjuster has several tricks up their sleeves. One of which is rushing to offer you a lowball offer almost immediately after your accident.
Insurance adjusters do everything within their power to get you to accept the first offer because they know that accepting the offer means you’ve lost the right to seek more money from them in the long run.
You need the best personal injury law firm to help you fight these adjusters and beat them at their own game. Experienced lawyers will tell you that you must never accept the first offer these adjusters make. We agree with them on this, and here are the reasons why:
They Can Always Offer More
Insurance companies aren’t charities. They are in the business of making money. They have a team of experts figuring out how much an accident might cost them in the long run. Their first offer is like a first guess, so of course it’s probably going to be on the low side.
Also, they know you might be stressed and worried about money, so they might try to use that to get you to settle quickly for less than you deserve.
By negotiating, you can ensure that you get a settlement that is fair and also reflects the true cost of your accident.
It Won’t Cover Your Long-Term Expenses
Accidents can have long-lasting effects. Maybe you need physical therapy now, but what about down the road? What if the accident leads to chronic pain or limits your ability to work a certain job?
Those first offers from insurance companies often only consider the immediate costs, like doctor visits and repairs. They might not take into account the potential for future surgeries, medications, or lost wages due to long-term disabilities.
If you settle for too little upfront, you could be left stranded when these future expenses come, and that can be a huge financial burden.
You Might Have Undiagnosed Injuries
Sometimes, injuries don’t show themselves right away. The adrenaline rush from the accident might mask some pain, or maybe an injury is slow to develop. If you settle too quickly, you might miss out on getting compensation for injuries you discover later.
Let’s say you have a sore arm after the accident, but the doctor says it’s just a bruise. The insurance company bases its offer on that. Weeks later, the pain gets worse, and you find out it’s actually a broken bone.
Since you’ve already settled, you might not be able to get any additional compensation for that broken bone, even though it was a direct result of the accident.
It Doesn’t Cover Your Non-Economic Damages
The initial offer from the insurance company will likely focus on compensating you for the more easily quantifiable costs, like medical bills and car repairs.
But what about the pain and suffering you’ve endured? The emotional distress? The impact the accident has had on your daily life?
These are called “non-economic damages,” and they’re a very real part of the recovery process. A broken arm will heal, true, but the emotional trauma of the accident might linger even after several months.
Don’t be afraid to ask for an amount that covers every effect of your condition. You have a right to it.
The Adjusters Don’t Care About Your Best Interest
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not you. Their primary goal is to save the company money, even at your expense. That might sound harsh, but it’s the reality of the situation.
They might be friendly and helpful, but ultimately, their job is to settle your claim for as little as possible. This means they might downplay the severity of your injuries, question your version of events, or try to find loopholes in your policy to minimize your payout.
Don’t be fooled by their friendliness. They simply are not looking out for your best interests.
What You Should Do Instead: Hire a Lawyer
Given all these reasons, it’s clear that the first offer from an insurance company is unlikely to be fair compensation for what you’ve been through. So, what should you do instead? Consider hiring a lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases.
A lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. They will help you get a settlement that reflects the full cost of your accident, both now and in the future.
