What To Do If Offered A Settlement?

Many times after a car accident, the insurance company may call you and offer a pay-out. The money is immediate and you may wonder whether or not you should accept it. Should you? Probably not. The insurance company’s first objective is to get rid of you—not take care of you.

More often than not, the first offer of settlement is a low-ball offer. It is a test to see if you know what your damages and injuries are worth. When this happens, here are 3 things that you can do:

1. Contact a lawyer

After an accident, one of the best things that you can do is contact your personal injury attorney in Utah. They will be able to handle everything with the insurance company while you focus on your recovery.

Your lawyer is trained in negotiations and will be able to help you reach a settlement that accurately represents the cost of the damages from your accident. The insurance company has their own trained lawyer and sometimes you need the expertise of someone who can go toe-to-toe with them.

At Utah Legal Team, for example, our lawyers have been practicing for over 16 years of Personal Injury experience and are experts at negotiating.

2. Take your time

You have probably heard the phrase: “If it seems too good to be true, it most likely is.” In personal injury cases, if the insurance company contacts you quickly and are offering you money right away, your injuries are worth more. They are offering a ‘Band-Aid’ solution to your situation when you probably need stitches to resolve it.

Exercise caution when insurance companies approach you and don’t be afraid to take time before arriving at a conclusive decision. It is wise to tell them that you would like to finish treatment before reaching a settlement offer so that you can see the extent of your injuries.

3. Research and use your best judgement

Not every case requires an attorney.

Smaller accidents often don’t, as your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) has to be exhausted before the insurance company offers additional money. In these situations, it is best to use PIP and look at the facts.

You can do research on the cost of repairs and speak with your provider about your treatment to ensure that you understand the situation fully. Then, you can use your best judgement about whether or not to accept the offer.

The best thing you can do when offered a settlement offer is look at the facts. Ask questions and if you aren’t certain of the answers, get help! Utah Legal Team is always prepared to help. Contact us to discuss your case.