When seeking compensation for an injury caused by negligence, you must deal with the at-fault party’s insurance company. This is because the insurance company is the one to pay out the compensation amount on behalf of their policyholder. However, insurance companies do not like paying significant compensation as it affects their bottom line. The fewer claimants they pay or the lower the amount, the higher their profit.
As a result, injury victims often get lowball insurance settlement offers. If you have no experience dealing with insurance companies, particularly adjusters, you might not know when you’re getting lowballed. So, to help you avoid being taken advantage of, we discuss signs that you may be receiving a lowball settlement offer. By knowing these signs, you can better protect yourself from inadequate compensation.
Our team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law can also help you protect your rights and interests. We know what a fair settlement offer is for different personal injury claims and will fight for maximum compensation. Call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential case review.
Why Hire Our Personal Injury Lawyers to Handle Your Case?
Our personal injury lawyers have represented Texas injury victims since 1985. We have handled thousands of insurance claims and lawsuits, making us experienced negotiators and trial lawyers. We will carefully value your claim to ensure you get compensation that covers all your economic and non-economic losses and that the insurance company does not pay you a lowball settlement.
We have recovered significant settlements and verdicts for our clients — totaling over 1 billion dollars. We will give your case personalized attention, where your attorney will be your primary contact throughout every stage of your case. Your attorney will be with you every step of the way, providing legal guidance and helping you make informed decisions. Reach out to us to learn how we can help you.
We are not afraid to take on large insurance companies and will pursue every avenue to achieve a favorable outcome.
Signs You Are Receiving a Lowball Insurance Settlement Offer
A lowball settlement is an offer from an insurance company that is significantly lower than your claim’s value. The insurance company attempts to maximize profit by settling your case for as little money as possible. So, how do you spot a low settlement offer?
The following are signs we have documented through the years:
The Settlement Offer Came Too Soon
If you have a settlement offer days after the accident, chances are you are getting lowballed. This is because assessing the full extent of damages a victim has suffered takes time. You need to know the long-term effects of your injuries, how long it will take to recover, how long you’ll be away from work, and what non-economic damages you’re entitled to.
These are things you cannot have the answer to within days of the accident. So, if the insurance company makes you an offer within this time, it is undoubtedly undervalued, as they don’t want you to calculate how much your case is truly worth. They also don’t want you to have time to consult an attorney, or even speak to family and friends who may have been through this before.
The Insurance Company Minimizes the Extent of Your Injuries
When the insurance company starts downplaying the extent of your injury, it is a sign of lowball settlement. They will downplay:
- Your injury severity
- The pain and suffering caused by the injury
- The expenses and other financial losses related to the injury.
They will pay you a meager settlement if they can make it seem like your injuries are not severe or that they have no long-term impact. We can help you counter this by bringing in expert witnesses, such as doctors and vocational experts, to establish the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life.
The Insurance Company Pressures You to Accept a Settlement
If the insurance company tries to settle your personal injury claim quickly, they are not giving you their best offer. They may try to convince you that you don’t need a lawyer to examine the settlement terms or that they are acting in your best interests. Even with mounting medical bills, never accept a settlement under pressure. Instead, contact our law firm. We can help you avoid making a costly error that you cannot undo.
Recognizing and addressing lowball settlement offers is crucial for protecting your financial well-being and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
The Insurance Company Puts Some Liability on You
If the insurance company claims you’re partially to blame for the accident or event that harmed you but still offers you a settlement, it is very likely a lowball settlement. Instead of accepting the money, consult an attorney. Even if you were partially at fault, the money offered might still be less than what you’re entitled to, and the insurance company might not have followed the modified comparative negligence rule in Texas. We will help you determine your fault percentage and ensure you are not getting cheated.
The Insurance Company Won’t Explain How They Arrived at the Amount
Before accepting a settlement offer, you should ask for a breakdown of how the insurance company arrived at the amount. It is a sign of lowball settlement if they are unwilling to share the information with you. Refuse the settlement and hand the case over to your lawyer. We can estimate a claim’s value and have the resources to help formally prove all of your damages.
Why You Should Not Ignore Signs of a Lowball Settlement
If you ignore the signs of a lowball settlement offer, you will receive an undervalued compensation that will not cover your current and future medical bills, lost wages, and other economic and non-economic damages. Also, once you accept a lowball settlement, you cannot renege on it even if you find it inadequate. The only way to void an agreed-to settlement agreement is to prove fraud on the insurer’s part.
Let Us Help You Get Maximum Compensation!
We know the financial difficulties injury victims face and do not want you to endure them and not receive fair compensation. Our team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law will use our experience and skills to fight for maximum compensation when you hire us. You don’t have to worry about not having money to pay us, as we work on a contingency fee basis and only get paid when you win. Call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential consultation.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
