Rejecting a personal injury settlement offer can lead to different outcomes, depending on the facts of your case. For starters, you should be aware that after rejecting a settlement offer, it’s not always a guarantee that the insurance company will make another offer.
That’s especially true if they think their offer is fair, and your personal injury lawyer hasn’t convinced them otherwise. However, if the insurer is unwilling to budge on their offer, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit.
It’s important to note that you don’t have to accept lowball offers. Working with a skilled personal injury lawyer can help persuade insurers to increase their offer or increase your chances of success at trial.
This article discusses what happens if you reject a personal injury settlement offer and what to expect. Contact Schrier Law Group today to learn how we can help negotiate the best possible outcome for you. Continue reading to learn more.
Should You Accept The First Settlement Offer?
Generally, it’s not a good idea to accept the first settlement offer. That’s because most insurers fully expect to engage in some form of negotiation until a settlement agreement is reached. That means that their first offer is likely their worst.
Accepting the first offer may seem like the best solution to immediate money problems. However, in the long run, you may find that the total value of your claim far surpasses the amount they initially offered.
It’s common practice for insurers to make quick and lowball offers to people who desperately need the money. They are counting on your need for immediate money to discourage you from making a counteroffer or rejecting the offer. However, once you accept a settlement, you lose all rights to pursue additional damages in the future.
In most cases, it’s recommended that you involve your personal injury lawyer in negotiations as soon as possible. They will assist you in valuing your claim and negotiating nothing less than maximum compensation.
How Do I Reject a Low Settlement Offer?
It’s not enough to reject a personal injury settlement offer. You and your personal injury attorney must make a compelling counteroffer. Insurance companies can decline or accept the offer. Sometimes, insurers pressure personal injury victims to take their offer or leave it.
Unfortunately, many personal injury claimants feel like they have no other option, so they accept low offers. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Continue reading to learn when to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida.
When to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida
Insurance settlement negotiations can fail for various reasons. Regardless of why you can’t agree with the insurance company, you still have the option to take your case to court. However, you should know that there is a time limit.
In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury suit (in most cases) is four years from the date of the accident. Claims filed outside of the personal injury statute of limitations are automatically denied. Further, the longer you wait to file a lawsuit, the less likely you are to present a solid case and get maximum compensation.
What to Expect After Filing a Lawsuit
Filing a lawsuit doesn’t always mean that a judge or jury will decide your case. In many cases, the mere act of filing suit persuades insurers to increase their settlement offer during pretrial.
If they dig in and refuse to budge, your personal injury lawyer can inform you of the strength of your case and the likelihood of success. If you decide to move forward, you can expect the entire process to take many months or even years to conclude.
However, the actual trial usually takes a few days or weeks. Taking an insurance company to court is a big decision with significant implications. An experienced personal injury lawyer can:
- Help determine the value of your case
- Negotiate with insurers to avoid going to trial
- Advise you of when to accept or reject offers
- Represent you in court if necessary
Learn how the personal injury attorneys at Schrier Law Group can help you below.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you’ve suffered injuries due to the negligence of another person or entity, it’s in your best interest to consult with a proven attorney for personal injury cases in Florida.
The personal injury lawyers at Schrier Law Group have recovered more than $500 million in personal injury settlements. We’re confident that we can obtain the best possible outcome for you as well. Contact us today at 1-800-700-7285 for a free consultation.
