Surprise Costs After Quick Settlements

When you settle an accident claim, you want the ordeal to be over so you can move on with your life. However, if you settle too quickly, you may not be aware of certain expenses when you agree to accept an offer. 

These might include costs around medical complications that surface after a few months, lost wages from not being able to return to work as planned, and other issues that add to your financial stress. 

To ensure you’re adequately compensated for the injuries and losses you experienced, it’s essential that a reliable car accident lawyer in Phoenix reviews the settlement terms before you accept it to minimize the chances of any surprises down the road.

Types of Expenses That May Come to Light Over Time

After an accident, victims are often dealing with significant pain and may be taking medication that affects their decision-making. Emotions may be running high, and there could be looming expenses, medical issues, or other needs that they are unaware of.

Here are some common surprises that happen with fast settlements:

• Unknown injuries: A sore muscle or bruise could be masking an injury that needs surgery. A chronic headache can be a sign of a brain injury that impacts your ability to perform certain tasks that were once easy to do.
• Return to work is delayed: Physical injuries, pain medications, and emotional scars can make it extremely difficult to return to work in the same capacity as before an accident, leading to lost wages.
•  Long-term medical needs: Some injuries require ongoing physical therapy, pain management, and future surgeries.
• Daily support: Victims with serious injuries or disabilities may need help at home with their daily routine (e.g., cooking, bathing, cleaning, shopping, child care, etc.) and modifications made to their homes (e.g., ramps to access doors, doorway widenings to accommodate wheelchairs, etc.).

If you release your rights with a quick settlement, you won’t be able to recover unexpected expenses and will have to pay for them out of pocket.

The First Offer Is Rarely the Best

If you receive an offer from an insurance company to settle your claims, it can be very tempting to take the money in order to move on quickly. Don’t do it.

Being stuck at home or in the hospital with bills piling up can be extremely stressful. Insurance companies know this and may try to pressure you to accept a low settlement offer immediately. 

You need time to create a list of questions to ask before fast settlements and evaluate your options. That’s where Gage Mathers comes in.

What to Do If You’re Pressured to Accept a Quick Settlement

Before discussing or accepting a settlement offer, call Gage Mathers for a risk-free consultation. We’ll explain the pros and cons of a trial versus a settlement in accident cases and the options you have. 

Our personal injury cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning that you don’t pay a dime we win your case or negotiate a settlement agreement that gives you the compensation you deserve!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
JD’s Profile