Personal Injury

Why You Shouldn’t Accept the Insurance Company’s First Settlement

Posted on by Matthew Christian
Why You Shouldn't Accept the Insurance Company's First SettlementAfter an accident, the other party’s insurance company may try to offer you a settlement for property damage and injuries. However, you should avoid signing any settlement release until a thorough investigation has been conducted, and you have reached the point of maximum medical improvement (MMI). Why should you refuse the insurance company’s initial settlement?

The Settlement May Be Low

In general, insurance companies do not want to pay the amount you deserve. They will try to offer a low settlement that may cover some but not all of your injuries or property damage. Some people may just want to put the accident behind them, and will accept the settlement right away so they don’t have to hassle or negotiate. However, this is a bad idea.

You May Have Injuries That Are Not Immediately Apparent

If you are involved in an accident, you may not feel pain. However, you may still have underlying soft tissue injuries or other conditions caused by the incident. This means, if you accept the insurance company’s initial settlement, you will be unable to receive more compensation later on if you need more expensive medical treatment. It is important to reach the point of MMI (the point at which your doctor says you have recovered as much as you are able to) before you accept a settlement with the insurance company. This can help prevent a situation where you have expensive medical bills but are unable to file another claim.

Seek a Favorable Settlement with the Help of Our Lawyers

If you or a loved one have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, Christian & Christian can help. Our Greenville personal injury attorneys have nearly 100 years of collective legal experience. We can help you file a claim, negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company, and represent your case in court if necessary.
Contact us today to request a complimentary consultation.
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Matthew Christian

Attorney, Founder, Partner University of South Carolina School of Law, South Carolina Bar, U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, U.S. District Court, U.S. Federal Courts, United States Supreme Court

Attorney Matthew Christian dedicated his career to making corporations see his clients as people, rather than claim numbers. He strives to help the injured, including making long-term care facilities safer for residents.

Attorney Matthew is also very passionate about fighting for injury victims’ rights to compensation, going above and beyond to defend these rights. As a partner at Christian & Christian, Matt has helped pursue and obtain financial reparations for numerous accident victims from well-funded opponents, including major insurance companies.

Attorney Matthew Christian has experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases.

Areas of Expertise: Personal Injury, Nursing Home Abuse, Medical Malpractice, Auto Accidents, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Catastrophic Injuries

National Trial Lawyers: Medical Malpractice Top 100 in the U.S. (Top 25 for S.C.)

Nursing Home : Top 10 Trial Lawyers Association

Expertise.com: Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Greenville
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