Don’t Let the Insurance Company Rush You Into a Settlement After a Car Accident in New York

After a car accident in New York, it’s common to feel overwhelmed. Between medical appointments, vehicle repairs, and missed time from work, your focus should be on healing. Unfortunately, many insurance companies try to take advantage of this vulnerable period by pressuring victims in New York to settle before they fully understand their injuries or rights.

Why They Push So Hard — and So Fast

Insurance companies aren’t on your side. Their main goal is to save money. Adjusters are trained to contact you quickly after an accident, sometimes within days or even hours,  offering a settlement that seems “fair” at first glance.

But here’s the truth: those early offers are almost always far less than what your claim is truly worth. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), insurers often try to resolve claims quickly to minimize their costs and avoid future liability, especially before the full extent of your injuries and expenses are known.

Once you sign a release for the money you received, under most circumstances, you can’t go back, even if you later discover serious injuries such as:

• Herniated discs or spinal injuries that surface weeks later
• Concussions or traumatic brain injuries with delayed symptoms
• Soft-tissue injuries that worsen over time
• Psychological trauma such as anxiety or PTSD
• Ligamentous and tendinous injuries to your neck,shoulder, arm, hip, or ankle that may require surgical intervention

What You Should Do Instead

1. Don’t rush. Take the time to get a full medical evaluation. Some injuries take weeks or months to reveal their full extent.
2. Avoid giving a recorded statement. Insurance adjusters often use your words out of context to minimize your payout.
3. Consult an attorney before signing anything. A personal injury lawyer can assess your damages, negotiate on your behalf, and protect you from manipulative tactics.
4. Document everything. Keep detailed records of your doctor visits, missed work, and all out-of-pocket expenses.

The Insurance Information Institute advises accident victims to contact an attorney or their state’s insurance department if they’re having trouble settling a claim or feeling pressured to accept an offer too quickly.

Common Pressure Tactics to Watch For

Insurance adjusters may use persuasive or intimidating tactics to get you to settle early. Be cautious if you hear:

• “This offer won’t last long.”
• “You don’t really need a lawyer.”
• “Your injuries don’t look that serious.”
• “We just want to close this quickly for your convenience.”

These are red flags. The faster they get you to sign, the less they’ll pay. Always remember, you are under no obligation to settle quickly.

The Bigger Picture: Bad Faith Insurance Practices

When an insurer acts unreasonably or unfairly, it may constitute what’s known as “bad faith.” This refers to situations where an insurance company fails to uphold its duty to act honestly and fairly toward claimants.

According to the Insurance Information Institute’s Consumer Guide and Wikipedia’s overview of Insurance Bad Faith, these practices include lowball offers, unnecessary delays, or outright denial of legitimate claims. Such conduct is not only unethical — it can also be illegal, and actionable in civil court.

The Bottom Line

You only get one chance to obtain adequate compensation for your injuries. Once you sign, it’s over (except under very limited circumstances) even if new injuries appear or medical bills pile up. Settlements should never be rushed, and you deserve to know the full value of your claim before agreeing to anything.

If you’ve been contacted by an insurance adjuster after an accident, don’t sign or agree to anything before speaking with an experienced attorney.

The Bongiorno Law Firm can help you understand your rights, protect your claim, and fight for the compensation you truly deserve.