Think You’re Getting a Fair Settlement in Buffalo? 

Think Again. 

After an accident, you're probably feeling overwhelmed. Injuries, medical bills piling up, and nonstop calls from insurance adjusters—it’s a lot. That quick settlement offer from the insurance company might seem like a relief, but hold on. Signing too soon could cost you big time. 

At Horn Wright, LLP, we know how these companies operate, and we won’t let them take advantage of you. Our Buffalo personal injury attorneys will fight to make sure you get every dollar you deserve. 

The Hidden Dangers of Signing a Release 

That settlement offer comes with a catch—a release form. Once you sign it, you’re giving up your right to pursue any further claims. Sounds simple, right? Not so fast. What if your injuries turn out to be worse than you thought? What if complications pop up months down the road? Too bad. You’ve signed away your right to any additional compensation. And guess what? Insurance companies bank on that happening. Before you sign anything, make sure you know exactly what you’re giving up. A lawyer can break it all down and help you avoid a costly mistake. 

Buffalo Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know This About Settlement Agreements 

Insurance companies aren’t on your side. They exist to make money, and paying out large settlements isn’t part of their plan. That’s why they push lowball offers, hoping you’ll accept before realizing what your case is really worth. They might even tell you hiring a lawyer will just eat into your settlement. That’s nonsense. Studies show that injury victims who have legal representation get, on average, 3.5 times more than those who go it alone. The insurance company doesn’t want you to know that. But now you do. 

The Fine Print That Takes Away Your Rights 

Buried in that settlement agreement are clauses designed to protect the insurance company—not you. Some of the worst include: 

• Confidentiality clauses: These prevent you from talking about the settlement, which keeps other victims in the dark about what’s fair. 
• Indemnity clauses: If someone else sues over the accident later, you might be on the hook for paying the insurance company back. 
• Broad liability waivers: Even if you discover new injuries or complications, you won’t be able to ask for more money. 

Before you sign anything, have a lawyer go over it. You need to know exactly what you’re agreeing to. 

Signed a Release in Buffalo? You Might Still Be Able to Sue 

Think it’s too late because you already signed a release? Maybe not. There are situations where a release isn’t legally binding. If the agreement was misleading, if you were pressured into signing, or if the settlement was shockingly unfair, you might still have options. And if new medical evidence proves your injuries are worse than initially diagnosed, you could have grounds to challenge the settlement. It’s worth getting a legal opinion before assuming you’re out of luck. 

When a Release Isn’t Legally Binding 

Not all releases hold up in court. If you can prove you were misled, pressured, or didn’t fully understand what you were signing, a judge might throw it out. Courts have ruled against releases when victims developed serious injuries—like traumatic brain injuries—long after the settlement was signed. Every case is different, so it’s worth talking to an attorney about your options. 

The Dirty Tricks Buffalo Insurance Adjusters Use to Rip You Off 

Insurance adjusters know exactly how to manipulate victims into bad settlements. They do it every day. Here’s how they do it: 

How They Pressure Victims into Bad Deals 

• Dragging it out: They delay the process, hoping you’ll get desperate and take whatever they offer. In New York, you’ve got three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, and they’ll use that against you. 
• Asking for endless paperwork: They’ll demand unnecessary medical records, work histories, or additional statements—anything to slow you down and frustrate you. 
• Misrepresenting your policy: They might claim your uninsured motorist coverage doesn’t apply when it actually does. 
• Telling you not to hire a lawyer: They know the moment you bring in an attorney, their lowball offer won’t stand a chance. 

Knowing these tricks can help you avoid getting ripped off. The best defense? Having a lawyer handle everything for you. 

How a Buffalo Injury Lawyer Can Stop You from Signing a Bad Deal 

After an accident, you should be focusing on healing—not battling insurance adjusters. An experienced personal injury lawyer takes that stress off your shoulders and fights to get you what you actually deserve. 

Protecting Yourself from an Unfair Settlement 

Here’s how an attorney makes all the difference: 

• Figuring out what your claim is really worth: Your lawyer looks at medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care costs to make sure you don’t get shortchanged. Personal injury attorneys specialize in calculating these damages to ensure you’re fully compensated, following New York’s personal injury laws. 
• Handling all negotiations: You won’t have to deal with an adjuster ever again. Your lawyer does the talking and makes sure they play fair. 
• Countering lowball offers: Insurance companies take claims more seriously when they know an attorney is involved. Settlements often increase significantly once a lawyer steps in. 
• Giving you peace of mind: Instead of stressing over paperwork and negotiations, you can focus on getting better while your lawyer fights for your compensation. 

At Horn Wright, LLP, we know how Buffalo insurance companies operate. Our Buffalo lawyers have helped countless accident victims walk away with settlements that actually cover their needs.  

If you want the best legal representation, hire one of the best law firms in America. 

Contact our Buffalo office today for a free consultation and let’s talk about your case. You deserve better.