If you’ve been injured through the fault of someone else, you may have received a call from an insurance company, offering you an amount that you think is not only grossly inadequate, but unfair. You can’t possibly pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering with that paltry sum.

Why did you get such a low offer? And what can you do about it?

The first thing to understand is that insurance companies exist to make a profit. If they don’t make money, they can’t exist. While this is true, insurers take this to an extreme and try to low-ball anyone and everyone so they can protect their profit margins.

It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to automatically offer the bare minimum. Of course, for you, that bare minimum probably isn’t enough, especially if you’ve been seriously injured.

In their haste to protect their profit margins, insurance companies won’t take into account everything about your case that you know to be true. They will ignore your pain and suffering and trauma. They will undervalue your medical bills and the damage that has been done to your body.

What’s worse is that they will “encourage” you to take the settlement because most people are intimidated by insurers.

So, what can you do when a lowball offer comes your way?

First, don’t agree to anything. Don’t even talk to the insurance company if you can help it.

Next, talk to a personal injury attorney whom you trust and respect. If the attorney takes your case, you’ll have an advocate by your side that can use the law to your advantage and use leverage against the insurer.

Sometimes, a lawyer can help get a higher settlement by arguing the facts. Sometimes, they have to go to court to win an award from a judge or jury.

But your chances of getting a higher offer are much better with an attorney than without one. So, if you have a serious injury case, you need a lawyer by your side - it’s the only way you can fight the insurance companies and win.

If you have received a low offer, don’t worry: attorneys are there to help make that number bigger - hopefully big enough to make you whole after your injury.

Contact us if you have any questions about your case or want to take legal action to get the compensation you deserve.