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Blogs 2021 November How An Insurance Company Can Trick You Out of Hiring an Attorney
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How An Insurance Company Can Trick You Out of Hiring an Attorney

Posted By Law Office of James M. Stanley || 24-Nov-2021

After an accident, insurance companies often offer you a settlement. It is a lump sum, and if you accept it, you probably can’t receive any more benefits from them.

These settlements are, essentially, a trick. The amount seems large, and taking it is tempting. However, you have no way of knowing how much money you will ultimately need, especially if you are injured. Insurance companies are most concerned about their bottom line. Their entire business model is built on taking in as much money as they can and paying out the smallest amount they’re allowed.

They really want you to take that settlement, and they’ll use any means to make that happen, up to misleading you. The last thing they want is for you to get a lawyer, so they tell you half-truths to keep you from doing so. Here are some common things an insurance company may tell you to trick you out of hiring a lawyer.

“You Will Lose Half Your Compensation on Legal Fees”

This is a common claim. It isn’t specific to insurance companies. Legal fees can get expensive, but don’t take the “half your damages” idea as gospel. It’s meant as a general guideline.

There are caps on how much an attorney can make in a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, lawyers cannot take more than 33% of your overall reward.

Even that percent is not a standard expectation. You and your attorney will negotiate your fees before you ever begin the trial. Depending on your relationship with them, you can agree to much lower terms than 33%.

“Personal Injury Suits Are Too Complicated”

Stop and think about this claim for a second. How is a lawsuit complicated for you? You’ve hired a lawyer, and their job is to take the work off your hands. They do the investigating; they interview the witnesses; they go over police records and security footage; they inspect damage at the scene of the crash. What about this process, exactly, is too complicated for you? At most, you’ll be asked to answer some questions, help collect documentation, attend some meetings, and appear in court.

Remember, your insurance company is trying to avoid court. What they’re really saying is that a lawsuit is too complicated for them, and that simply means they don’t want to spend money. Regardless of the outcome of the case, they’ll spend money on lawyers, legal fees, and so on.

“It’s Easier to Handle the Matter Yourself”

At some point, most of us will have a fender-bender, and we must deal with insurance companies. These matters can be easy to handle. You call your insurance company, tell them your story, and receive money for repairs. Some companies even have partnerships with dealers. You can simply take your car in, and they handle everything. They give you a rental and make the repairs, and you don’t need to worry about anything.

The insurance company is banking on your having these experiences. They want you to believe that handling an injury will go just as smoothly and easily. The problem is this: No one can estimate how expensive your injury will be.

Some injuries take a long time to treat. Treatment itself can include surgeries, multiple doctor visits, therapy, and a slew of medicines. A permanent injury requires a lifetime of treatment. Sometimes, your injury changes the way you move, which can lead to other injuries. Even minor injuries can have a lasting impact. Imagine an artist who, after a car accident, develops blurred vision. Think of a dancer who loses a toe. For these people, injuries change their careers, potentially forcing them to live an entirely different life.

The insurance company does not want the bill for this treatment. It wants to give you money, hush you, and move on.

Talk to a Lawyer Before You Sign

Whenever you are presented with a settlement, take it to an attorney. They can overlook the deal, finding any tricks that limit your benefits. Attorneys can push back and negotiate for a better settlement. If necessary, they can help you take the matter to court, getting you a substantially better piece of compensation for your injuries.

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, contact our office before taking an insurance settlement. Our number is (817) 591-4222. You can also use our convenient online contact form.

Categories: Personal Injury

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The following is a sampling of some of the many cases we have had the privilege to handle on behalf of our clients. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. Past results do not predict future results.​​

  • Catastrophic High Pressure Water Injury Resulting in Ruptured Colon, Infections, Multiple Surgeries Required

    NET TO CLIENT $3,069,546.66

  • Catastrophic Brain Injury/Motor Vehicle Accident

    NET TO CLIENT $3,018,051.78

  • Electrocution involving Defective Product

    NET TO CLIENT $2,491,510.87

  • Wrongful Death caused by Employer Negligence

    NET TO CLIENT $1,119,736.98

  • Grandmother seriously injured when rear-ended by 18-wheeler oil

    NET TO CLIENT $977,516.95

  • Wrongful Death due to Employer Negligence

    NET TO CLIENT $852,773.73

  • Wrongful Death caused by Employer Negligence.

    NET TO CLIENT $841,000.00

  • Catastrophic Injury caused by Defective Product.

    NET TO CLIENT $714,000.00

  • Wrongful Death caused by Employer Negligence

    NET TO CLIENT $728,664.19

  • Serious injury caused by 18-Wheeler blocking road

    NET TO CLIENT $584,309.41

  • Wrongful Death caused by Medical Malpractice.

    NET TO CLIENT $443,360.00

  • Wrongful Death and Survival Action

    NET TO CLIENT $461,423.23

  • Wrongful Death of a Fetus and Serious Personal Injury

    NET TO CLIENT $584,062.75

  • Wrongful Deaths

    NET TO CLIENT $532,211.06

  • Wrongful Death of a child

    NET TO CLIENT $499,266.40

  • Serious injuries to driver of 18-wheeler

    NET TO CLIENT $465,230.35

  • Wrongful Death caused by Medical Malpractice.

    NET TO CLIENT $359,520.00

  • Wrongful Death of a Child

    NET TO CLIENT $303,070.11

  • Wrongful Death of a Child

    NET TO CLIENT $380,345.57

  • Wrongful Death caused by physician negligence

    NET TO CLIENT$345,526.90

  • Serious Personal Injury

    NET TO CLIENT $352,813.23

  • Wrongful Death of a Child

    NET TO CLIENT $320,706.81

  • Medical negligence by hospital

    NET TO CLIENT $284,156.68

  • Wrongful Death Alcohol-Related Accident

    NET TO CLIENT $341,061.50


*The amounts reflected are the actual dollar amounts received by clients after deduction of attorney’s fees and expenses.
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* James Stanley is the only attorney of the Law Office of James M. Stanley that has been inducted into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Million Dollar Advocates Forum

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