While the feeling of angst and uncertainty is perfectly normal after suffering an auto accident, letting the emotional distress rush the decision-making process afterward can hinder the ability to receive proper compensation. After a car accident, it can feel like a relief and a win when the insurance company quickly offers a reasonable settlement. However, their job is to close your claim as cheaply and as quickly as possible, and when they offer you a fast settlement, they are betting you don’t yet know the full value of your injuries.
A quick settlement offer almost always arrives before you have received a full medical diagnosis, completed your treatment, or know what the total medical costs entail. You may not yet understand whether your injuries are permanent or long-lasting, and it’s unlikely you’ve had the chance to speak with an attorney about what your claim is truly worth.
Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you typically cannot go back and ask for more money, even if your injuries turn out to be far more serious than you initially believed. Hiring a Massachusetts car accident lawyer before responding to any settlement offer is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health, finances, and ability to properly recover.
What Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know About Quick Settlements
Insurance companies are just like most businesses, with their bottom line, not your recovery, often at the forefront of their goals. The faster they can close your claim, the less money they pay out. What they don’t want you to know is that the settlement they are offering you today is almost certainly worth far less than what you may actually be entitled to.
When their adjuster makes contact shortly after an accident, you may think they are doing you a favor by giving you a check, but that is not the case. That offer is carefully calculated to close your case before you understand the true extent of your injuries, before your medical bills are finalized, and before you have had the chance to speak with anyone who is actually on your side when handling an auto accident claim in Massachusetts.
Another tactic insurance companies won’t tell you is that once you sign a release and accept that payment, your claim is over. It does not matter if your back injury requires surgery six months later or if your recovery takes twice as long as expected and you can’t work while in rehab. You will have no legal right to go back and ask for more.
That is why personal injury attorneys urge every accident victim to slow down, get a full medical evaluation, and seek a case evaluation before making any decisions. A no-fee consultation could be the difference between a settlement that barely covers your bills and one that truly accounts for everything you have been through.
Attorney Robin Gouveia has been successfully handling personal injury and social security disability clients in Rhode Island and neighboring communities for over 25 years. Attorney Gouveia and her staff have the expertise to get the money you deserve, as well as keeping you up to speed with what is going on with your case. We want you to be 100% satisfied with how we represent you in your case. Remember, a great lawyer shouldn’t cost you more…they should get you more!
Why You Should Always Know the Full Value of Your Injuries Before You Settle
Settling too soon means accepting less, and typically, most accident victims have no idea how much their case is truly worth until it is too late. Before agreeing to any settlement or payment, several critical factors must be fully understood to protect your right to fair compensation.
A fair settlement should account for all of the following:
- Current and future medical expenses, including ongoing therapy, specialist visits, or surgeries you may still need
- Lost wages for any time you were unable to work during your recovery
- Loss of earning capacity if your injuries have affected your ability to return to your previous job or career
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress and the ways your injuries have changed your daily life and relationships
- Property damage to your vehicle and any other personal belongings affected in the crash
Until you and your attorney have a clear and complete picture of all of these factors, you are simply not in a position to know whether any offer on the table is fair.
The Hidden Costs of Accepting an Insurance Company’s First Offer
Most people assume that if an insurance company makes them an offer, it is a reasonable starting point for a negotiation. In reality, that first offer is rarely a starting point at all. It is a calculated attempt to close your case at the lowest possible number, and it rarely reflects what your claim is actually worth. The dangers of Massachusetts roadways make this issue especially pressing as the state consistently ranks among the most dangerous in the country for drivers.
Unfortunately, the true costs of a serious car accident do not often appear right away. A soft tissue injury that seems manageable in the first week can develop into a chronic condition requiring months of physical therapy. A concussion that went un-diagnosed at the emergency room can lead to cognitive difficulties that affect your ability to work. A back injury that felt minor at first can progress to the point where surgery becomes necessary. None of these outcomes will be covered if you have already signed away your right to pursue further compensation.
There is also an emotional cost that is easy to overlook. Accepting a low-ball settlement can leave you feeling trapped, financially strained, and without recourse at the very moment your recovery demands your full attention. Hiring an auto accident attorney instead of settling for the first offer is not just a good idea, it can be life-changing.
Contact an Auto Accident Attorney in Massachusetts Today
Our attorneys at d’Oliveira & Associates always encourage every accident victim in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to reach out to us before responding to any offer. We will review your case at no cost to you, help you understand what you may truly be owed, and make sure you never leave money on the table that could make a real difference in your recovery and your future. For a no-fee case evaluation, call our offices at 1-800-992-6878 toll-free or fill out our online contact form to ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to by law.Â
Worcester Personal Injury Lawyer / d’Oliveira & Associates
120 Stafford Street (Unit 5)
Worcester, MA 01603
(508) 490-5955