Thousands of personal injury claims are filed each and every day. Whether looking for compensation to cover medical bills resulting from a car accident or slip and fall, you are likely to be contacted by an insurance provider hoping to quickly settle your claim.
The manner in which you respond to their first settlement offer may make a drastic difference in how much compensation you are ultimately awarded.

If you have filed a personal injury claim for any scenario, contacting a local personal injury lawyer will help you to properly assess and evaluate any offers you may receive.

When someone is seeking compensation after an accident, it is in the insurance provider’s best interest to settle the claim promptly. Not only that, their goal is to get away with paying as little as possible. Although an average consumer may think that the insurance company’s initial settlement offer sounds reasonable, there are some very compelling reasons why this first offer should not be accepted – especially without legal representation.

While the situation is still fresh, victims may not have all the information they need regarding their long-term prognosis. They also may not understand the scope of medical treatment or therapy needed in the future, including additional surgeries. They may not be able to see a clear picture of how their injuries will affect work abilities and earning potential. For all these reasons, it is best to take your time through the initial stages of the process when determining if the settlement offer is fair.
The insurance provider knows that the accident victim likely has no real knowledge of what financial awards are appropriate based on similar claims. Because their goal is to try to settle as quickly and cheaply as possible, their initial settlement bid is often far less than a claimant may receive with professional advice. An experienced personal injury attorney will evaluate the merits of the case and research previously settled cases that have established precedence. This allows claimants to understand a fair and reasonable range of settlements.
The insurance company also knows that an injured party may be suffering financially after being involved in an accident. That person is often out of work, the medical bills are adding up, and the car needs to be repaired. Someone in this situation is more apt to accept a quick payout to relieve the pressure. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney will explain if waiting and negotiating will be more profitable in the long run.
Victims of car accidents are far less likely to contend with an insurance company in court to get what they deserve. Hiring a personal injury attorney and rejecting the initial settlement lets the insurance company know that you are serious about obtaining a fair settlement. When an expert legal team is facing them, the insurance provider is more likely to make a fair offer more quickly.
Research shows that those who retain legal representation before filing a personal injury claim instead of accepting the initial offer receive an average of $60,000 more in the end. More importantly, 93% of people who retain representation receive a settlement, while only 51% of those without representation will see anything at all.

It is critical to understand that once a settlement offer is accepted and paid out, there is no avenue for the claimant to go back and get more. Hiring a Sarasota personal injury law firm such as Probinsky & Cole ensures the insurance company will treat you fairly and pay you what your situation merits.