Greene & Phillips: Settlements after an accident

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - After an accident, it’s not uncommon for an insurance company to make a settlement offer fairly quickly. For someone facing medical bills and missed work, that money can be tempting. But is accepting the first offer always the best idea? Joining us today is David Greene from Greene & Phillips Injury Lawyers to explain.

The following questions and answers were provided by Greene & Phillips:

Why do insurance companies sometimes make settlement offers so quickly after an accident?

In many cases, insurance companies want to resolve claims as soon as possible. The challenge is that shortly after an accident, you may not fully understand the extent of your injuries or what your future medical treatment might look like.

Why are people so tempted to accept that first offer?

Because they’re often dealing with a lot of uncertainty. They may be missing work, facing medical bills, and wondering how they’re going to pay for everything. When an insurance company puts money on the table, it can feel like a solution. The problem is that the offer may come before you know the full extent of your injuries.

So accepting an early offer can sometimes be risky?

Absolutely. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, the case is generally over. If your injuries turn out to be more serious than you initially thought, you usually can’t go back and ask for additional compensation later.

What are some injuries that don’t always show their full impact right away?

Neck injuries, back injuries, and even some head injuries can take time to develop. We’ve seen situations where someone thought they would recover in a few weeks and later learned they needed months of treatment or even surgery. Once you’ve settled, those future costs may become your responsibility.

Do insurance companies calculate a claim the same way an attorney would?

Not necessarily. Insurance companies are evaluating claims from their perspective. Our job is to look at the entire impact the accident has had on someone’s life, including medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment needs, pain and suffering, and how the injury affects their day-to-day life.

Sometimes people are nervous about even calling a lawyer. What would you say to them?

We understand that. At Greene & Phillips, a lot of what we do is simply answer questions and help people understand their options. Sometimes people call us because they’ve received paperwork they don’t understand or they’re unsure whether an offer is fair. We want them to have good information before making an important decision.

What’s the biggest takeaway for viewers?

Don’t let financial pressure force you into a decision before you understand the full value of your claim. Once a settlement is finalized, there’s usually no second chance.

If someone has questions about a settlement offer after an accident, how can they contact Greene & Phillips?

You can stop by our office at 51 North Florida Street anytime, no appointment needed. You can also call or text us at 251-300-2000, or visit GreenePhillips.com.