Do I Need a Lawyer if the Insurance Company Made an Offer?

Do I Need a Lawyer if the Insurance Company Made an Offer?

After a car accident or injury, it can feel like a relief when the insurance company offers to settle your claim. You might think, “If they’re offering money, why hire a lawyer?”

It’s a fair question — and one we hear often at Drake, Hileman & Davis, where we’ve represented injured Pennsylvanians for decades. But before accepting any settlement, it’s essential to understand what’s really at stake.

1. The insurance company’s goal isn’t to help you — it’s to save money

Insurance adjusters may sound sympathetic, but they ultimately work for the insurance company — not for you. Their job is to close claims quickly and for as little money as possible.  Sometimes they even get bigger bonuses if they settle claims within the first 30 days.  They are on a mission to close our your case.  Don’t let them do it!

Remember, once you accept a settlement, even if new injuries appear later or your medical bills increase, you can’t go back and ask for more. That’s why the first offer is almost never the full value of your claim.

2. Without legal advice, you may not know what your claim is truly worth

Many accident victims underestimate the real cost of an injury. A fair settlement should account for:

• Medical bills (past and future)

• Lost income and reduced earning ability

• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress

• Long-term rehabilitation or care

• Property damage and out-of-pocket expenses

An experienced personal injury attorney can calculate these damages accurately and compare them to the offer you received. In many cases, we’ve found that the insurance company’s “final offer” covered only a fraction of what the injured person actually deserved.  Think about it.  If you missed a couple days of work, getting $2,000 sounds great.  But what if your back still hurts in a month and you need weeks of physical therapy, or injections, or surgery?  If you already settled the case for that nominal amount, you won’t be able to recover more.  If you receive an offer from the insurance company, just stop and call us.  Ask what you should do.  Let us talk through it with you!  The insurance company is not on your side – WE ARE!

3. Adjusters often use tactics that seem friendly — but protect their company

You may hear statements like:

• “You don’t need a lawyer; this is a simple claim.”

• “This is our best offer, but it’s only good for a few days.”

• “We just need your statement to finish processing your file.”

These tactics are designed to pressure you into settling quickly — before you’ve had time to speak with a lawyer or fully understand your injuries. Once you sign a release, your claim is over.

4. Having a lawyer changes everything

When you have an attorney, insurance companies know they must take your claim seriously. At Drake, Hileman & Davis, our lawyers:

• Handle all communication with the insurer

• Gather medical records and expert evidence

• Negotiate for full and fair compensation

• File suit if the insurance company refuses to be reasonable

In short, we level the playing field — and often obtain settlements far greater than the initial offer.

5. You don’t pay us unless we recover for you

Our firm represents injured plaintiffs only — never insurance companies. On injury claims, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we win compensation for you.

That allows you to get trusted legal guidance without any upfront cost or risk.

6. Talk with a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer before signing anything

If the insurance company has already made an offer, that’s actually the best time to call a lawyer — before you respond or sign a release. At Drake, Hileman & Davis, we’ll review your offer at no cost and explain whether it’s fair based on your injuries, medical needs, and Pennsylvania law.

You have only one chance to settle your case the right way. Let our team make sure you’re fully protected.

Contact Drake, Hileman & Davis Today

Don’t let an insurance company decide what your claim is worth. Call Drake, Hileman & Davis for a free consultation — serving Bucks County, Montgomery County, Lehigh County, Northampton County, Monroe County, Philadelphia County, and clients throughout eastern Pennsylvania.

We’ll make sure you understand your rights, your options, and the real value of your case.  Remember, we are on your side!