Receiving a settlement offer shortly after a car accident can feel like a relief. With medical bills arriving and repairs to handle, many people are tempted to accept the offer and move on. However, early settlement offers often fail to reflect the true cost of an accident.
At Simon Bridgers Spires, we frequently hear from individuals who accepted a settlement too quickly and later realized it did not cover their long term needs. Knowing how to respond to an early offer can protect you from unnecessary financial strain.
Why Insurance Companies Make Early Settlement Offers
Insurance companies aim to resolve claims efficiently and limit risk. Early offers are often made before the full scope of injuries is known. This allows insurers to close claims before additional treatment or complications arise.
The Insurance Information Institute explains that bodily injury claims frequently involve expenses that develop over time, making early evaluations incomplete.
What Early Settlement Offers Often Overlook
Ongoing Medical Treatment
Many accident related injuries require follow up care, physical therapy, or pain management. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, crash injuries can have lasting effects that are not immediately apparent.
Once a settlement is accepted, additional medical expenses typically become your responsibility.
Lost Income and Future Earning Potential
If your injuries kept you from working, an early offer may not fully account for lost wages or reduced earning ability. These losses can extend well beyond the initial recovery period.
Pain and Daily Limitations
Physical pain, emotional distress, and limitations on daily activities are real consequences of many accidents. Insurance companies often undervalue these non economic damages.
What Happens When You Accept a Settlement
Accepting a settlement usually requires signing a release that prevents you from seeking additional compensation related to the accident. Even if new injuries appear later, the claim is typically closed.
Should You Accept the Offer or Push Back?
Some minor accidents may be resolved with early settlements, but many are not. If you are still receiving treatment, missing work, or feeling unsure about the offer, it is best to pause and seek legal advice.
How a Lawyer Reviews Settlement Offers
A personal injury lawyer evaluates the offer by reviewing medical records, future care needs, income loss, and how the injury affects your life. Lawyers also understand how insurers calculate offers and can identify what is missing.
Why You Should Not Feel Rushed
Insurance adjusters may imply that an offer will expire quickly. In reality, Georgia law provides time to pursue a claim. Making a rushed decision can lead to long term financial consequences.
How Simon Bridgers Spires Can Help
Simon Bridgers Spires helps accident victims understand whether a settlement offer is fair and complete. Our focus is on protecting clients from settling for less than they deserve.
If you have received an offer and are unsure how to respond, speaking with an Athens car accident lawyer can help you make a confident decision.
For guidance tailored to your situation, consulting with an Athens personal injury lawyer can provide clarity and long term protection.