Is It Worth Accepting the First Settlement Offer?
- Alex Maltese
- Dec 29, 2025
- 5 min read
After a car accident on Long Island, most people want to get the car accident claim process over with as soon as possible. Medical bills will arrive; you might have missed work, and you have to deal with insurance adjusters. None of this is pleasant. Then, the insurance company offers a car accident settlement offer. It's very tempting, but is it worth accepting the first settlement offer?
In almost every situation, it's not a good idea to accept an insurance company's first offer. Most insurance companies will not offer a fair settlement when they make an initial settlement offer. This is especially true when there are medical bills, long-term injuries, or unclear recovery timelines. Understanding why these offers are usually low, and how to properly evaluate them, can make a big difference in the total amount of compensation you can possibly see.
Insurance Companies Benefit From the Initial Offer
Though they might be a good actor, the insurance company's settlement offer is never done to be generous or nice. These offers are very strategic. They are hoping you take it because if you do, they can:
Close claims cheaply
Avoid future medical expenses
Prevent victims from retaining an attorney
Limit the investigation into long-term damages
The first insurance settlement offer often arrives before the full extent of the injuries is known. Insurance adjusters know that you want to close the claim quickly, that you may feel overwhelmed, or that you are financially strained. So, they use that to their advantage.
For the average person, the amount they offer in a typical car accident settlement may look reasonable at first glance — but the offer is usually designed to protect the insurance company, not the injured party.
The Full Extent of the Injuries from a Car Accident Is Often Unknown Early On
Following a collision, the body gets filled with adrenaline. This means that pain is delayed and symptoms might not appear for days, weeks, or even months following the accident. Some of the injuries that may appear later include:
Whiplash
Back and neck injuries
Herniated discs
Shoulder or knee injuries
Nerve damage
If you accept the first offer from the other driver's insurance company, and then later discover that your injuries are more serious, you can't file another personal injury claim. Once the insurance claim is settled, that settlement is final.
Early Car Accident Settlement Offers Rarely Include All Categories of Damages
Most people don't even understand their own insurance coverage, not to mention someone else's. The insurance companies know this, so the insurance company sends offers that leave out major types of damages. These include:
Future medical treatment and medical costs
Lost earning capacity
Ongoing physical therapy or rehabilitation
Future surgeries or long-term care
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of quality of life
A quick offer may only cover visible property damage and a small portion of your initial medical bills — far from the comprehensive value of a legitimate personal injury case.
Accepting Too Early Can Leave the Victim Paying Out of Pocket Because They Didn't Get a Fair Settlement Offer
Many people with car accident injuries and property damage accept the first settlement and don't realize that it won't cover all of their costs. In this case, those mounting medical bills and car repair bills will become your responsibility.
Once you sign that settlement offer, there is nothing you can do to get more money or make up for lost wages. Insurance companies know this, and they don't want you to work with a personal injury lawyer. They know that a car accident attorney will want to go through settlement negotiations, and at that point, the insurance company will need to pay up. They can also consult on questions such as Is it worth taking a car accident case to court?
Why Insurance Companies Make Fast Offers in the First Place
Fast offers are designed to resolve the case before victims can:
Finish medical treatment
Learn the long-term impact of their injuries
Speak with an attorney
Understand the value of their claim
Insurance companies are extremely skilled at minimizing their payouts. The first offer is almost always part of that strategy.
A Better Approach: Evaluate the Offer With a Lawyer
An experienced personal injury lawyer — including a law firm like the Law Office of Carl Maltese — will evaluate settlement offers in a way that considers the full picture, including:
1. Complete Medical Records
A fair settlement must reflect the total cost of medical care, including:
Emergency treatment
Follow-up visits
Imaging studies
Physical therapy
Medication
Specialist consultations
Future treatment needs
It is impossible to calculate an accurate settlement before treatment stabilizes.
2. Long-Term Impacts
Some injuries lead to chronic pain, mobility issues, or long-term limitations, such as maximum medical improvement. A car accident lawyer ensures these future impacts are accounted for before accepting any offer. They can also advise on questions like Is it worth reporting a minor accident to insurance?
3. Lost Income and Reduced Earning Potential
If a victim misses work or cannot return to their previous job duties, those losses must be reflected in the personal injury lawsuit.
4. Pain and Suffering
Non-economic damages are often the largest part of an injury claim. Insurance companies rarely include fair amounts for these in early offers, but you can seek compensation for them during the settlement process.
5. Comparative Fault Issues
If the insurance company tries to blame the victim for the crash, a lawyer can push back and prevent unfair reductions.
An attorney’s role is to calculate a fair value — not a fast one. The legal process takes time, but it's often worth it. It may be best to consult this car accident lawyer in Long Island NY for more information.
Negotiation Almost Always Increases the Final Settlement
It is extremely rare for the first offer to be the best offer, so never accept immediately if you get one. Insurance adjusters expect negotiation. In fact, the claims process is built around the assumption that the parties will go back and forth.
When a lawyer becomes involved, insurers know:
Lowball offers will not be accepted
The injuries will be documented properly
Delays or unfair tactics will not succeed
A trial is possible if fair compensation is not offered
This pressure frequently leads to significantly higher settlements. Many clients end up receiving several times more than the initial offer once an attorney handles negotiations.
When Accepting the First Offer Might Make Sense
There are only a few scenarios where accepting an early offer may be reasonable:
1. The Accident Only Involved Property Damage
If there were no injuries at all, and the offer covers all repairs and related expenses, accepting early may be efficient without further legal action.
2. The Medical Treatment Is Complete and Verified
If injuries were extremely minor and fully resolved with minimal treatment, the offer may be adequate — but it should still be reviewed.
3. The Offer Has Been Evaluated by an Attorney
A lawyer can confirm whether the offer reflects current and future damages. Without that review, accepting early is risky.
These scenarios are the exception, not the rule.
Bottom Line: It Is Rarely Worth Accepting the First Settlement Offer
The first settlement offer is almost always lower than what the claim is truly worth. It is designed to protect the insurance company, not the victim. For someone facing medical bills, future treatment, lost income, or long-term injuries, accepting too early can create serious financial strain down the road.
Before agreeing to anything, accident victims should allow time for medical treatment to progress and should have their case evaluated by an experienced attorney. The Law Office of Carl Maltese can review the offer, negotiate on the victim’s behalf, and ensure the final settlement reflects the full impact of the accident. Reach out now for a free consultation with a skilled attorney.