5 Signs You Should Turn Down an Uber Car Accident Settlement Offer
By Christopher Hoffmann
Aug. 26, 2020 12:07p
Uber car accidents make headlines. However, when you’re directly involved in one and are trying to get compensated for your damages, it can be disheartening to read about how Uber tries to avoid liability and leave victims without a dime.
But surprise: your Uber car accident case is not like that. You get offered a settlement rather quickly! Here are 5 signs why you may want to turn it down.
1. They Seem Very Eager for You to Sign
Going up against Uber doesn’t always look like a battle. The insurance adjuster may seem kind, sympathetic to your troubles, and come with a quick settlement offer. However, the offer itself has a condition, likely that you sign soon to avoid going into a battle with them. If you refuse, you’ll get less, so of course, it’s in your best interest to take their initial deal and move on.
Insurance companies generally don’t offer money without a battle. If it seems like they are, then there’s likely something else going on.
2. They Try to Shift the Blame on You
Another tactic to get people to accept the initial settlement is to underline that they are also at-fault for the accident. Maybe you were slightly speeding, or not completely paying attention to the road, which is used by adjusters as leverage to get you to sign. However, even if you’re partially at-fault, it doesn’t mean you aren't entitled to any compensation.
3. The Amount Only Seems to Cover the Bare Minimum
Your Uber accident insurance settlement should likely include:
The initial offer almost never covers all of this, especially expenses from the ‘pain and suffering’ category which have to be negotiated. If your settlement amount only seems enough to cover your car repairs and medical bills, then you probably should not sign it.
4. They Don’t Answer Your Questions
Sympathy doesn't run deep in insurance claims, and if you ask the insurance adjuster questions about your settlements, and how they got to that final offer, you likely won't get a clear answer. Clear answers would mean you’ll become aware of how much you may be entitled to, which defeats the purpose of a quick Uber settlement.
5. A Lawyer Did Not Look Over It
It's a good idea to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident. However, even if you did not work with a lawyer from the beginning, consider hiring one to look over your settlement offer. Nine times out of ten your lawyer will recommend going back to the negotiations table and rethinking how much the settlement should offer you.
Speak With an Uber Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in an Uber accident and received a quick settlement, don’t sign anything. Contact a St. Louis Uber car accident lawyer right away and have them look over it. They can also help you renegotiate the offer. Give us a call 24/7 for a FREE case evaluation - (314) 361-4242