After a car accident in the busy streets of Brooklyn, one of your first calls will be to your insurance company to kick-start the claims process. Soon afterward, you will receive a call from an insurance adjuster with a settlement offer. While it can be tempting to accept, this offer is certainly far lower than what your case is truly worth. Insurance companies will do whatever they can to reduce your payout and will use a variety of tactics to meet their goals.
Over the years, the team at Gabriel Law has locked horns with insurance companies and knows their tactics quite well. As your car accident lawyer in Brooklyn, we want to take this as an opportunity to explain the steps you need to take to protect your rights and claim the compensation you’re entitled to.
Why do insurance companies make lowball settlement offers?
First and foremost, an insurance company is a profit-making enterprise. That being the case, it doesn’t make sense for them to process high insurance payouts. As a result, they will exploit your urgency, downplay damages, attempt to shift liability, and encourage frustration all in the hopes that you will give up and accept what they offer.
What are the signs you’re being offered a less-than-fair settlement?
As we mentioned above, insurance adjusters will try their best to reduce your insurance payout. If you’re considering accepting an offer, here are some of the signs that show you’re being offered less than what your claim is actually worth:
- The offer arrives prematurely—If the adjuster presents an offer just days after the accident, before you have completed your treatment or fully understood the extent of your injuries, it is a clear indication that the offer falls short of what you deserve.
- Using high-pressure tactics to settle—Adjusters may pressure you to sign, saying things like “This is our best and final offer.” They are counting on your financial strain and desperation to get away with paying a low settlement.
- Offer does not cover all the damages—The settlement offer may cover current medical bills and a few other costs, but it will not take into account future medical expenses, lost wages, and other relevant expenses.
- Lack of transparency – The insurance adjuster can present a settlement sum without offering a detailed breakdown of how it was calculated.
- Shifting the blame—Adjusters can try to magnify your fault in an accident and attempt to justify a reduced settlement.
- Refusal to discuss future complications—When the insurance adjuster ignores the possibility of injuries getting worse or causing chronic issues, that is a serious red flag.
How can you avoid lowball settlement offers?
There are several things you can do as the victim, with the help of your car accident lawyer in the Bronx, to avoid lowball offers and receive the full and fair settlement you deserve.
- Do not rush to accept the first offer—while it can be tempting to accept and get it over with, the golden rule is that the first offer is far less than what you deserve. This can be a dangerous thing to do, especially when the injuries aren’t fully understood.
- Get prompt medical attention—When you are injured, seek immediate medical attention, even if you only suffer a small cut or bruise. Internal injuries take time to reveal themselves, and catching them early can save your life. At the same time, you stop the adjusters from using gaps in the treatment as justification to reduce compensation.
- Document everything—gather evidence like photographs, video footage, contact and insurance information, police reports, etc. Evidence is the backbone of your case; the more you can present, the better.
- Do not apologize or admit fault—Even a simple “I’m sorry” can be used against you to establish liability and reduce your compensation.
- Do not make recorded statements—Do not give any recorded statements about the accident to the insurance company before you consult with your accident lawyer in New York. Statements can be taken out of context, and you will be restricted to the statement even when the situation changes significantly.
- Do not sign blanket medical releases—insurance companies often request a full medical history to find any pre-existing conditions. Limit yourself to providing only the medical records connected to the accident.
- Hire a car accident lawyer in NYC—An attorney can be your sword and shield, fighting to get you the compensation you deserve.
Conclusion
When you’re injured in a car accident, claiming compensation for losses will require a conversation with your insurance company. Most of the time, insurance companies will try and get you to accept a lowball settlement. When a lowball offer is presented, it is important to understand the true value of your settlement and prepare to fight for the compensation you deserve.
As a personal injury law firm in NYC, Gabriel Law helps out clients with insurance claims on a daily basis. We are quite familiar with the insurance playbook, and we will help you protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. If you’re ready to get started, contact us today and schedule a free and confidential consultation.
