You’re hurt, stressed, and staring down medical bills you never expected. Then, the insurance company offers a settlement. Should you take it?
Not so fast.
Early settlement offers often benefit the insurer more than the injured driver. Once you accept, your case is closed—whether or not your costs are fully covered.
Here, Seattle car accident lawyer Preet Kode reviews the most important factors to review before signing any agreement.
Have You Reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)?
MMI means your condition is stable, and no significant medical improvements are expected. If you settle before reaching MMI, your compensation could fall short of what you actually need.
Without a full understanding of your long-term condition, you risk accepting far too little.
Settling too soon also means you can’t pursue additional funds if complications arise later. For example, a shoulder injury that initially seems like a simple strain could turn out to be a torn rotator cuff requiring surgery, physical therapy, or long-term restrictions on lifting or movement. If you've already accepted a settlement, the insurer is no longer responsible for those additional costs. Waiting until you reach MMI helps ensure that your Seattle car accident claim accurately reflects the full scope of your injury and future recovery needs.
Will This Settlement Cover Future Medical Expenses?
Some injuries get worse before they get better—and some never fully heal. If you settle before completing treatment, you could be left paying out-of-pocket for:
- Physical therapy or rehab. Recovery from orthopedic injuries, concussions, or soft tissue damage often requires weeks or months of guided rehab.
- Specialist consultations. You may need ongoing care from neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, or pain management doctors.
- Additional surgeries or injections. Some conditions require repeat procedures, especially if scar tissue develops or symptoms return.
- Long-term prescriptions or mobility aids. Chronic pain or joint instability may require daily medication, braces, or assistive devices.
These future costs add up quickly—and they’re often excluded from early settlement offers. The insurance company may only consider your current bills unless you provide documentation of expected future care.
Before accepting, talk to your doctor about your long-term prognosis. Ask if your condition could worsen, lead to other complications, or affect any preexisting conditions you might have. A lawyer can also work with medical experts to project the cost of future treatment over months or years and make sure that number is included in your settlement demand. Without this information, you risk agreeing to an amount that won’t come close to covering your ongoing needs.
Does the Offer Include Lost Earning Capacity?
Maybe you’ve already missed work. But what if your injuries affect your ability to do your job for months—or even permanently?
A fair settlement should account for:
- Current missed wages. This includes paychecks lost during your recovery, as well as any paid time off or sick leave you were forced to use. Those benefits have value and should be reimbursed.
- Reduced hours or job duties. If your injuries prevent you from working full-time or force you into a lighter-duty role with less pay, your claim should reflect that difference in income.
- Career changes or retraining needs. In some cases, you may no longer be able to perform your previous job at all. A fair settlement should include the cost of job retraining, certification programs, or vocational rehabilitation services.
- Long-term disability. If your injury results in permanent limitations that affect your ability to work or earn income, your settlement should reflect the total value of those lost earnings over time—potentially for the rest of your working life.
Our Seattle car accident law firm can help calculate the true financial impact of your injuries and make sure your claim reflects your full earning potential.
Are You Being Compensated for Pain and Suffering?
Not all losses are financial. If your accident left you with chronic pain, emotional trauma, or loss of enjoyment in daily life, you may be entitled to non-economic damages.
Insurers often ignore or undervalue:
- Sleep disruption. Pain, anxiety, or nightmares after a crash can make restful sleep nearly impossible. This affects your energy, focus, and emotional stability throughout the day.
- PTSD or anxiety. Car accidents can trigger lasting psychological distress. You may experience panic attacks, hypervigilance, or fear of driving—all of which impact your quality of life and ability to function.
- Physical disfigurement. Scars, burns, or other visible injuries can lead to social isolation and a profound loss of confidence or self-esteem.
- Limitations on hobbies or caregiving. Whether you can no longer run, play with your children, or care for a loved one, the loss of these roles deserves acknowledgment and compensation.
Only an experienced lawyer can push back on these low estimates and present a full picture of your suffering.
Is the Insurance Company Pressuring You to Decide Quickly?
It’s a red flag if the adjuster says things like:
- “This is the best you’ll get.”
- “You don’t need a lawyer.”
- “You have to decide soon or the offer expires.”
These are pressure tactics meant to close your case fast—before you know how serious your injuries are. You have the right to take your time and seek legal advice.
Letting Kode Law explain your options can protect you from these strategies, help you avoid common Seattle personal injury claim mistakes, and ensure the insurer plays fair. Before you say yes, make sure it’s a decision you won’t regret.
