You shouldn’t settle a personal injury case without a lawyer because insurance companies won’t give you a fair deal. They aim to pay you as little as possible, and may even unfairly deny your claim and pay you nothing. They often distort the law and the facts to avoid paying accident claims.
As a young attorney, Rob Levine attended a mediation proceeding where an insurance adjuster used a selectively-cropped image to minimize the damage the at-fault driver’s vehicle sustained in a rear-end car accident. Luckily, Rob was able to give the mediator the full picture, which showed far more extensive damage throughout the car and demonstrated that the driver hit Rob’s client at high speeds.
With an experienced lawyer like those at Rob Levine Law, insurance companies know they can’t get away with underhanded tricks and lowball offers. In this page, learn from our knowledgeable legal team why you should never negotiate with insurers without an attorney.
Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
Insurance companies make money by collecting more income in coverage premiums than they spend paying out claims. Every time someone gets into a covered accident with compensable damages, insurers lose money from their bottom line. Thus, insurers are incentivized to avoid paying accident victims what they’re owed. They deny meritorious claims and minimize the value of the ones they can’t deny.
Common tactics used by insurance companies to reduce their liability include the following:
- Pushing accident victims to take quick settlement offers that severely undervalue their damages
- Downplaying policyholder injuries to reduce the value of their claims
- Denying claims or slow-walking the process
- Asking victims misleading questions, then using their answers to undermine their claims
What Are the Risks of Settling Without a Lawyer?
Negotiating a settlement without an attorney can put you at a disadvantage throughout the process, leading to worse outcomes for your claim. Risks of settling without a lawyer include the following:
Settling for Less Than You Deserve
Accepting an offer that doesn’t reflect the full value of your damages, such as ignoring the costs of future medical expenses and other long-term losses
Giving Up Your Legal Rights
Waiving the right to pursue further legal action, ending any chance at securing a better deal later
Struggling With the Stress of a Claim
Coping with the emotional and mental toll of handling a complicated legal claim while still recovering from your injuries
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Protects Your Interests
A skilled attorney will handle all aspects of your personal injury claim while you focus your time and energy on healing. Your lawyer will analyze your case to determine the true value of all your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
After gathering evidence and building a strong case, your attorney will manage all communications with insurance companies and negotiate to secure a settlement that fully and fairly compensates you for all your losses.
Importance of Legal Counsel in Maximizing Your Settlement
Insurance companies make money by paying you as little as possible. Personal injury lawyers make money by getting insurance companies to pay you the full value of your damages. Your attorney does better when you do better, and their legal prowess can level the playing field against big insurers.
When you work with Rob Levine Law, you’ll get high-quality legal representation from skilled advocates with hundreds of years of combined experience. Our knowledgeable attorneys will do the following for you:
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Our lawyers will push back against lowball offers and aggressively pursue a full settlement, even taking insurers to court if necessary.
- Thoroughly investigate your accident: Our team will gather medical records, witness statements, photographic evidence, and other documentation to show the full extent of your damages, strengthening your case and improving your chances of recovering compensation.
- Seek the maximum long-term value of your claim: Your attorney will account for your future medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and other long-term impacts when calculating your damages, helping you get the best possible case results.
Over more than 25 years of practice, Rob Levine Law has helped more than 50,000 clients like you recover over $2 billion in compensation. Our team is available 24/7 to take your calls and answer your questions.
With our Fee Free Guarantee®, you won’t pay us anything unless you win your case. We offer transparent pricing, charging a 33% contingency fee if you successfully recover compensation. Police, fire, rescue, and military clients also get a 25% first responder discount rate.
What Happens If You’ve Already Accepted a Settlement Offer?
It is very difficult to reopen a settled case. There are some possible exceptions, such as signing a settlement agreement under duress or instances of fraud, but reversals are incredibly rare. It’s important to always consult with a lawyer before signing any legal documents, especially personal injury settlement offers.
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer Before You Sign Anything
You’re not under any obligation to accept an insurance company’s initial settlement offer. Determining what your claim is really worth is key to getting the full and fair compensation you deserve after an accident. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can explain your legal options and go toe-to-toe with underhanded insurers to protect your rights.
With no fees unless you win, let Rob Levine fight for you! Contact us online or call (800) 742-3920 today for a free consultation.
