Don’t Settle for Less- Top 5 Reasons You May Regret Settling Your Injury Case

Settlement regret.

A lot of people get it. And if your legal claim was emotionally charged and also involved high-priced medical bills, we understand why you may feel both physically un-whole and stressed. In some injury cases, it can feel natural to want to accept the first offer that you’re given, but it may not be in your best interest to rush to a settlement.

Choosing to accept a lower settlement over waiting for a potentially higher one is a hard decision, and completely at your discretion. Sadly, it is more than common not to feel regret after making a snap settlement decision. A settlement choice is not one we take lightly; our goal is to make you whole again and make things right- not fight for a cash windfall.

That said, the injury lawyers at Mickey Keenan, P.A., explain why you should not settle for less and how we help you throughout the entire process to make sure you get what you are entitled to.

Top 5 Reasons You May Settle for Less and Regret It Later

You may be thinking: why would you settle for something that you would later regret? Most of the time it is out of what is thought of as a necessity—you may need the money now to pay for your bills or lost wages. It could be the holiday season and you’re out of work due to an injury. You may even accept a low settlement offer because you’re simply ready to move on.

1. You feel on your own.

Have you seen an injury lawyer? Consulting with an attorney should be the first thing anyone does. Without an experienced lawyer, you may not understand the full legal process that is ahead of you, how to appropriately deal with insurance companies, and how to fight for the money you deserve. Plus, it’s one less thing you need to stress about.

At Mickey Keenan, P.A., you’re like family and we don’t want you to be taken advantage of. We’re with you every step of the way and do not charge unless you win. We care about making sure your claim covers all the bases and you are asking and receiving all that you are entitled to. We handle everything for you so you can focus on your health and well-being.

2. Your interests weren’t fully looked out for…

I should have been paid more! This is one of the most common phrases clients proclaim after settling a legal claim. Some injury lawyers are just looking for a quick fee or distracted by other cases and not looking out for your best interest. Then they may even take more for legal fees than you get to keep to add insult to injury.

At Mickey Keenan, P.A., our philosophy is based on four core values: commitment, loyalty, integrity, and willingness to fight for you like family. We will always pursue the best settlement for you and will urge you to never settle for less.

Life may not be fair – you’re experiencing a terrible injury after all—but we believe your settlement should be.

3. You thought there was enough money in the settlement to cover all the bills.

It’s not just legal fees; have all your medical bills been paid too? This is undoubtedly the biggest reason for post-settlement regret. And this reason can be a catch-22. You are in a dilemma—should you take the quicker and lower settlement because you are already drowning in medical bills or should you wait it out until you receive the higher payout and compensation you deserve? When filing a legal claim, a lot of times insurance adjusters will determine what the lowest payout will be, hoping it will suffice and keep everyone out of court and a lawsuit. But what happens if there are unexpected medical bills that arise later? How will you handle paying those if you have already settled for less?

4.You were ready to move past this.

You should never settle for any type of settlement without first knowing what all of your options are. Insurance companies want to avoid large payouts and court costs, but by doing so they inadvertently do not have your best interests at heart.

This is where a veteran lawyer at Mickey Keenan, P.A. can help you understand what could be the best for your case long-term. To get you a fair settlement for your legal case, with our team you’ll put your claim in a position to have the best legal leverage. Our attorneys at Mickey Keenan will take the time to talk to you about what makes the most sense for your personal injury case. This will vary on a case-by-case basis. Legal options that may arise that do not include a settlement are a jury trial, bench trial, arbitration, or meditation. No matter what, we’re with you every step of the way.

5. You didn’t think of the future.

No injury has a monetary price tag. Determining the value of your pain and suffering; recovery time; medical bills; emotional, mental, and physical issues; as well as possible family turmoil is different for every person.

Your injuries may have life-long consequences that never leave you whole. Your injuries, through no fault of your own, may leave you in debt. When you put a price tag on your accident and damages, you need to consider not just the now, but the future.

• Will you need medical services in the future?
• Will your physical injuries or mental injuries prevent you from working and making a living wage/the same wage?
• Will your settlement pay for all your bills?

You should never accept a personal injury settlement when you are thinking of short-term and not what your future will look like. Our attorneys at Mickey Keenan, P.A., will help you understand what future implications and costs may result or arise from your injuries.

Don’t Settle for Less

Accepting a settlement should not be a hasty decision; there are many factors to consider. You need an expert lawyer by your side that will talk you through all your legal options and how they will affect your life.

Before you choose to settle, make sure you contact our injury attorneys for a free consultation. We will listen to you and do our best to help you receive the maximum payout for your pain and suffering and damages. Do not let the insurance companies decide the appropriate price tag for your injuries.

Call us today for a free consultation at 813-871-1300 or schedule an appointment at our Tampa, FL law firm.