Do I Need a Lawyer if the Insurance Company Offered Me a Settlement?

Do I Need a Lawyer if the Insurance Company Offered Me a Settlement?

Car Accident Info

An insurance company’s business model is based on making quick, cheap settlements. Never accept a settlement from an insurance company after a personal injury without obtaining legal advice. The insurance company is likely to “lowball” your settlement. However, a lawyer protects your rights so you may receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.

Insurance adjusters receive training to minimize benefits for claimants. They are not on your side. They also know that post-accident, many people are desperate for money to replace lost income, so they are vulnerable to accepting less than they deserve. If an adjuster can convince an accident victim to accept a small settlement, they are doing their job, according to company standards.

Furthermore, once you accept a settlement offer– it is final. If it turns out the amount is too low to pay ongoing medical bills and related expenses, you must pay these costs out of pocket.

Trying to deal with the insurance company on your own virtually guarantees a lower settlement offer. However, a personal injury lawyer at Rutter Mills negotiates with the insurance company to ensure a fair settlement. Most cases are settled, but we will go to trial if necessary. The insurance company wants to avoid the expense of litigation and takes that into consideration during settlement negotiations.

Determining Settlement Value

The claims adjuster determines a settlement value for injuries caused by another party’s negligence. They do this by documenting the injured person’s medical expenses, tax returns, pay stubs, and related financial information to establish the economic damages.

Establishing non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, are not as straightforward. Much depends on the individual case and the severity of the injuries. Perhaps you can no longer participate in the activities you once enjoyed, severely impacting your quality of life. Maybe the injuries have affected your family life as well as your obligations. These are all factors used in determining non-economic compensation.

Personal injury lawyers know that health-related issues may cause long-term or permanent impairment. Medical and economic experts can provide information on the person’s prognosis and how this affects their current or future employment.

Contact us at Rutter Mills for a free consultation

A personal injury attorney at Rutter Mills will handle your claim with the insurance company so that you are well-represented from the start. Call or text us 24/7 and schedule a free consultation. Do not make a recorded statement with the insurance company or sign any agreements before speaking with us.

We have proudly served clients in the Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk area for more than 50 years. Since we work on a contingency basis, you do not pay a fee unless you receive compensation.

Contact a Rutter Mills attorney to speak about your case today.

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TESTIMONIALS

You don’t have to worry about the bills, just get healthy.

Dave Put His Trust in Us

Don’t Fall For The Insurance Company’s Games

Dave suffered serious injuries in a car accident. The defendant’s insurance company tried to offer him a low amount so Dave called Rutter Mills. We took over dealing with the insurance and got Dave the money he needed to get back on his feet.

They enabled me to be happy in life again.

Get Back On Track

Protecting Your Future

Glenn’s car accident changed his life, but not permanently thanks to the help of his Rutter Mills attorney. When the insurance companies wouldn’t help him, our team fought back and won.

I knew I needed Rutter Mills.

Fighting For What's Right

Getting Justice

On his way home from work at the shipyard, Dan was involved in an accident. He tried to file a claim on his own, but the insurance company wouldn’t give him the money he needed to put his life back on track. Dan knew he needed to call Rutter Mills.

They actually won my case 3 times!

Larena's Win

After her car accident, Larena asked her father, a local stevedore, for his advice on who to call. He recommended Rutter Mills. Her team of car accident experts at Rutter Mills fought back when the insurance companies tried to deny her the money she needed to recuperate from her injuries. We took her case to trial – and won. When the insurance company filed their appeals, we beat them again – two more times! Larena got the money she needed and the justice she deserved.

We’re going to immediately call Rutter Mills. That’s the people I trust with my baby girl.

Who Do You Trust With Your Family?

After a car accident, Jamaree’s first call was to her mom. She was shaken up and scared. Mom told her “We’re calling Rutter Mills. Her next was to Rutter Mills. Her Rutter Mills car accident team helped her get compensation “above & beyond” what she was expecting.

They lifted allot of stress off my shoulders. I recommend them to anybody because they WILL fight for you.

Who Can You Turn To?

Referrals From Friends and Family

After John was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, he turned to the person he trusts most for a recommendation. His wife, a paralegal of 30 years, told him to call Rutter Mills on the advice of the lawyer she worked for.

They really care for you as a person. Words cannot describe what Rutter Mills did for me and for my case.

When You Need Someone In Your Corner

Don’t Go It Alone

When the insurance company tried to get Carol to sign paperwork after her car accident, she knew she needed a lawyer. Carol knew she needed Rutter Mills.

When I called Rutter Mills, I knew it was the right fit. They’re so interested in helping you get justice.

Getting The Justice You Deserve

When Mom Needs Strength

Taryn was in a car accident while she was pregnant. She knew she needed someone in her corner to protect her rights and her family’s future.

There’s attorneys, then there’s Rutter Mills.

We're Here When The Unexpected Happens

Priorities

A devasting accident changed Levon’s life forever. The physical and emotional toll left him scared and in pain. When the insurance company for the defendant contacted the family, they made an offer that did not even cover the cost of the medication, much less doctors’ bills, and physical therapy. They knew they needed to talk to a serious lawyer. Rutter Mills took care of the negotiation so Levon could focus on healing.

When you’ve got a serious injury, you need a serious lawyer. That’s why we chose Rutter Mills.

Motorcycle Accidents Change Everything

When Ed was injured in a motorcycle crash, he knew he needed a serious lawyer to protect his rights. The insurance companies were fighting him every step of the way. Rutter Mills helped prove Ed’s case and get him the money he needed to get on the road to recovery.

With the seriousness of the accident, I knew that we needed a serious lawyer. I needed Rutter Mills.

Carol & Levon's Story

They knew they needed a serious lawyer when Carol and her son were seriously injured. After the other party’s insurance company tried to get her to settle for less than she needed, Carol called Rutter Mills for help. We took on the insurance company so she could focus on healing.