Should You Take the First Settlement Offer… or Is That How People Get Played?

I’m going to be blunt, because I see this every single day.

If an insurance company makes you a settlement offer fast, it’s usually not because they’re being generous. It’s because they’re trying to close you out before you realize what just happened to your body and how it could affect your long term life.

I can’t tell you how many people come to me and say, “They already offered me money… should I just take it?” And almost every time, my first thought is: They’re moving fast because this case is worth more than you know at this time!!!!

Unfortunately, insurance companies are not in the business of doing the right thing. They’re in the business of paying as little as possible, as quickly as possible, and getting you to sign something that permanently cuts off your rights.

Once you sign that release, the case is over. Full stop. Even if your injury gets worse. Even if you end up needing surgery. Even if you can’t work the same way again.

And yes — they know exactly what they’re doing.

Here’s one of their favorite tricks: call you before you’ve even had a chance to process what happened. Before all the pain kicks in. Before you know whether this is a “sore for a week” situation or a “this changed my life” situation.

They make the offer sound reasonable. They make it sound final. They make it sound like this is your best — and only — chance.

It’s not.

Another trick? Being really nice. Friendly. Sympathetic. They’ll tell you they’re “just trying to help” and that they want to “get this resolved for you.” What they don’t tell you is that their job performance is literally measured by how little they pay out. The nicer they sound, the more careful you should be.

I’ve also seen insurance companies push people to settle when they know the injured person is stressed, missing work, or worried about money. They know financial pressure makes people agree to bad deals. They count on it. That early check feels like relief — until you realize it doesn’t even cover what you actually need.

Here’s the part that makes people sick to their stomach when they find out too late: once you accept that first offer, you don’t get to come back. Not if your condition worsens. Not if you discover you need long-term treatment. Not if the injury ends up affecting your career. The insurance company walks away clean, and you’re left holding the bag.

When people ask me how much their case is worth, I always tell them the truth: it depends.

It depends on how bad the injury is, how long treatment lasts, whether the damage is permanent, and how much this has disrupted your life. Anyone who gives you a number without looking at those things is guessing — and insurance companies are very comfortable guessing low.

This is exactly why I tell people not to accept a settlement without at least talking to a lawyer first. Not because you’re trying to be greedy. Not because you’re trying to “sue everyone.” But because you deserve to understand what you’re signing away. Make sure your decision is informed!

And yes, having a lawyer involved often changes everything. Insurance companies suddenly take the claim more seriously. The lowball offers start creeping up. The “this is the best we can do” turns into “let me see what I can get approved.” Funny how that works.

So should you take the first settlement offer?

Sometimes. But not blindly. Not because someone on the phone sounded convincing. And definitely not before you understand the long-term consequences of saying yes.

If you’ve been injured and the insurance company is already knocking with a check, slow down. That offer is designed to protect them, not you. A quick conversation with me can save you from making a decision you’ll regret for years.

If something feels off, it probably is. Feel free to shoot my an e-mail at emilia@antonyanmiranda.comto discuss your options. the first consultation is always free.