If you’ve been in an accident, the insurance company will likely reach out to you soon afterward with a ‘settlement offer.’ This is their initial offer to try and resolve the claim without going to court. So, should you take it? Is the insurance company not supposed to help you when you get into an accident? How does insurance work, and how do they handle claims? Let’s take a look.
Insurance Settlement Offer
Insurance companies often make low-ball settlement offers hoping customers take them. Most people don’t understand how insurance works or what their claim is worth. That’s why it’s important to speak with an experienced accident attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve.
How Did My Insurance Determine The Settlement Offer?
Computer models help insurance companies predict how much a particular case will cost them, the average injury costs, and the average time for the victim to recover. Even though the law requires that the defendant treat the accident victim based on their unique situation, insurance companies often stick to computer modeling when making their settlement offer.
In these computer models, a 90-year-old victim may be treated equally to a 20-year-old victim in the exact same accident. We know, however, that a 90-year-old would take much longer to recover and may not fully recover from an accident as a 20-year-old would.
Sometimes, an insurance company will also deny a claim simply because they know the victim or the victim’s attorney may not want to waste time prosecuting a smaller claim. In these cases, the insurance company may not care if they lose and will offer a ridiculously low settlement to intimidate the victim.
Don’t Go It Alone: Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been in an accident, insurance companies may try to take advantage of you. They will likely offer you a low-ball settlement hoping that you’ll take it and go away. But don’t be fooled. Speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to deal with insurance companies and their tactics. They will also be able to help you understand your claim and what it’s actually worth. Don’t go at it alone. Contact a personal injury lawyer at Saladino & Schaaf today. Call our Paducah Personal Injury Lawyers at 270-444-0406 or reach our Murray Personal Injury Lawyers at 270-753-1529.