Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
Leta Hays
What Georgians Should Know Before Accepting a Settlement
By Derek Hays, Derek Hays Injury Law
After an accident, most people assume the insurance company will do the right thing. They pay their premiums. They file a claim. They expect fairness. Unfortunately, that is rarely how it works.
Insurance companies are businesses. Their responsibility is to protect their financial interests, not yours. In Georgia, I have seen countless injured people accept settlements that were fast and convenient, only to realize later that those decisions cost them far more than they expected. Before accepting any settlement, here is what every Georgian should understand.
Early settlement offers are designed to save the insurance company money.
It is common for an adjuster to reach out quickly after an accident. They may sound supportive and eager to “resolve things.” What they are really trying to do is close the claim before the full extent of your injuries is known. Many injuries do not fully present themselves right away. Neck and back injuries, concussions, and soft tissue damage often worsen over time. Once you accept a settlement, you permanently give up the right to seek additional compensation, even if your condition changes or surgery becomes necessary.
Recorded statements can be used to weaken your claim.
Insurance adjusters frequently request recorded statements early in the process. These are not taken to help you. They are taken to protect the insurance company. Your words can be taken out of context or used to suggest that your injuries are minor or that you share fault. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company, yet many people do so simply because they do not know their rights.
Insurance companies rarely calculate the true cost of an injury.
A fair settlement should account for future medical care, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and how the injury affects your daily life and your family. Insurance companies focus on immediate costs and minimize everything else.
If you do not know how to properly value a claim, you will almost certainly be offered less than what your case is worth.
Once you sign a settlement agreement, there is no second chance.
Settlement agreements are final. There is no reopening a claim because medical bills increased or recovery took longer than expected. This is where we see the most regret, not because people were careless, but because they were navigating a legal process without guidance.
An experienced attorney prevents costly mistakes before they happen.
Handling a claim on your own means managing deadlines, negotiations, documentation, and legal strategy while also trying to heal. An injury attorney steps in so you do not have to navigate a system designed to work against you.
An attorney protects you from saying the wrong thing, accepting too little, or signing away your rights too soon. More importantly, legal representation allows you to focus on your health while someone else focuses on holding the insurance company accountable.
At Derek Hays Injury Law, our goal is not to rush clients into decisions. It is to give injured Georgians clarity, confidence, and protection during a difficult time. Before you accept a settlement, make sure you fully understand what is at stake. A brief conversation with an experienced injury attorney can help you avoid costly mistakes and protect your future.
If you have been injured and are unsure what to do next, contact Derek Hays Injury Law. We are here to answer your questions, explain your options, and help you make informed decisions at every step. Call 404-777-4878.