After an injury, most people brace themselves for a tough legal fight, especially if another party’s insurance company is involved. What surprises many, however, is that the opposing party may seem eager to settle quickly. While this might feel like a relief, it’s often a red flag that the value of your case is being significantly underestimated. We know you need help after your Florida injury, but slow down if things seem too good to be true.
The Hidden Dangers of Eager Settlements
When an insurance company approaches you with a quick offer, it’s tempting to accept. Medical bills and lost wages quickly accumulate, and a settlement might seem the fastest way to move forward. However, there are often hidden dangers behind this apparent eagerness.
Insurance companies are, first and foremost, in the business of making money. They aim to minimize payouts, not help injured parties as much as possible. Florida’s high volume of car accidents and other injuries gives insurance adjusters plenty of experience in employing tactics designed to pressure victims into accepting early settlements as worth less than their claims are worth. For example:
Premature Offers: Adjusters may present a settlement offer before the full extent of your injuries is known. They’re banking on you accepting before realizing the long-term costs of your recovery.
Downplaying Damages: Adjusters might argue that your injuries aren’t severe or that pre-existing conditions are responsible for your pain. Assuming you can’t get a better settlement later on, you might settle early.
Urgency Pressure: They may claim the offer is “time-sensitive” and push you to decide quickly without consulting a Florida personal injury attorney.
If the opposing party is eager to settle, it could be a sign that your claim is worth far more than they’re offering. Remember, accepting a settlement of any kind also means waiving your right to pursue additional compensation. If you settle quickly and only learn how weak the offer is after the fact, you don’t have many options. That’s why contacting experienced Florida personal injury attorneys like Probinsky & Cole should always be your first move before agreeing to any terms. Our team aims to secure the best possible settlement for your case, taking the case to trial if negotiations fall apart.
Bad Faith Negotiations and How They Hurt You
Not all negotiations are conducted in good faith. Your negotiations might involve bad faith practices—when the opposing party, typically an insurance company, fails to deal with you honestly and fairly—and lead to much worse compensation. Plus, bad faith tactics are much more common when insurance companies know they are dealing with Floridians lacking legal representation.
Bad faith negotiation tactics take many forms, including:
Misrepresenting Policy Limits: An insurer might claim that coverage is lower than it actually is, making you believe the settlement is the best you can get.
Unreasonable Denials: Insurance companies may outright deny valid claims without providing a legitimate reason, hoping you will become desperate and respond with a lowball offer of your own.
Florida law allows injured parties who are victims of bad faith practices to pursue additional damages against the insurer or third party. However, proving bad faith is not a walk in the park. Our attorneys can recommend whether going after bad-faith parties is in your best interest to maximize compensation and reduce stress following your Florida accident.
Lowball offers and bad-faith negotiations are more than just frustrating—they directly impact your compensation potential when you need money the most. If you’re facing pressure to settle or suspect bad faith tactics, contact Probinsky & Cole today for a free consultation and discussion of your options.
