What Happens If You Don’t Accept A Settlement Offer From The Insurance Company

After an accident, pressure mounts as you open bill after bill, hear a mechanic quote you on the cost of your repairs, or learn you need further medical treatment. Your recovery and financial well-being depend on the settlement you receive from an insurance provider. However, it’s understandable that you might consider rejecting a low offer. To ensure you receive a fair settlement offer, enlist a personal injury lawyer to negotiate on your behalf. 

At Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, we stand up for accident victims and fight for a fair settlement to compensate for their losses. Without some haggling, insurance companies typically won’t offer fair compensation initially. We have the skills to deal with the insurance company for you to get your claim resolved favorably. Call 617-391-9001 or use our contact form to set up a free consultation.

Rejecting An Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer

Insurance companies usually attempt to undervalue accident victims’ claims to save the company money. Since insurance companies often lowball their initial settlement offer, rejecting it is typically the first step toward receiving one that covers your losses. 

Rejecting the insurance company’s initial settlement offer makes the offer dead, which prevents you from subsequently changing your mind and accepting it. It does not automatically entitle you to a new, better one. You will need to take specific actions or take advantage of your legal options to obtain a more reasonable offer.

You Must Reject the Offer in Writing and Submit a New Offer with Evidence

Usually, the insurance company’s initial offer is low and rejecting it is expected. When you reject their initial offer, you switch roles with the insurance company and become the party submitting an offer. This process involves submitting a formal letter rejecting the settlement and outlining your need for additional funds. In your rejection letter, you must include a counteroffer based on the damages you need to recover. 

Also, you must provide supporting evidence demonstrating why the first offer was inadequate and why your counteroffer is fairer. You’ll need copies of all of your bills, receipts for expenses, and pay stubs to prove lost wages. Include any additional pertinent information, such as ongoing or permanent disability or losses resulting from pain and suffering. If the opposing party’s insurance provider is negotiating in good faith, they will review this new material and probably make a more fair settlement offer when they do so.

You May Have to Keep Negotiating with the Insurance Company

Rejecting a loan settlement offer typically results in further negotiations with the insurance company. Even though negotiations can last a long time, it may be wise to keep sending the insurance company counteroffers as long as they don’t explicitly state that they won’t continue.

Continuing to counteroffer might obtain compensation closer to what you require to pay for your accident-related expenses. Filing a lawsuit may be necessary to get the best possible outcome.

You Can File a Lawsuit if Negotiations Fail

After completing unsuccessful negotiations, your final option is to file a lawsuit. The courts anticipate that parties to a dispute will have exhausted all alternatives to litigation, but only some claims will proceed to trial. It’s best to consult a lawyer first, though, before filing a suit. An experienced personal injury lawyer can determine if going to court would result in you getting a better payout. 

If that is the case, they will also build a solid case to convince the insurance provider that they will likely lose the trial. The insurance company may return to the negotiating table if they notice that you are being assertive. For them, losing in court is usually much more expensive and time-consuming than simply accepting your reasonable settlement offer. 

In personal injury cases and negotiations with insurance companies, Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers work hard to defend the interests of their clients. We’ve put a lot of effort into developing our image as a firm with knowledgeable and trustworthy lawyers. For instance, Attorney Peter M. Merrigan has a reputation for getting outstanding results for his clients through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and trial. He is Massachusetts’ “Super Lawyer” for 2021.

Trust an Experienced Boston Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle Your Insurance Settlement Negotiations

Although you have the option to reject the insurance company’s initial offer, it is better to get legal counsel first. A knowledgeable Boston personal injury lawyer may evaluate your claim details, examine policies, and contrast the offer with offers made for situations comparable to yours. They may also thoroughly explain what occurs after you reject a settlement offer and assist you in taking the necessary actions to secure a more reasonable offer.

The legal team at Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers represents clients in settlement disputes and fights to secure them a fair offer. Our devoted personal injury lawyers have spent a lot of time and effort honing the skills and in-depth legal knowledge we have used to effectively represent our clients over the course of our more than 45 years in service. Call us at 617-391-9001 or fill out our contact form to arrange a no-obligation consultation.