Vermont Insurance Companies Want You to Settle for Less

Here’s How to Fight Back

After an accident, you’re stressed, overwhelmed, and just trying to get back to normal. Insurance companies know this. They count on it. Their goal? To get you to accept a fast, lowball settlement before you realize what your case is really worth. If you sign too soon, you could lose out on thousands—maybe even more.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our personal injury lawyers help Burlington accident victims fight back. We know the tricks insurance companies use, and we won’t let them take advantage of you. You deserve fair compensation, not a rushed check that barely covers your bills. Before you sign anything, let’s talk. It could save you from a costly mistake.

The Hidden Risks of Signing a Release Too Soon

Insurance companies act fast after an accident. You might get a call within days, maybe even hours, offering you a check. Sounds great, right? But here’s the catch—signing too soon could leave you drowning in bills later.

• Your medical costs could skyrocket – Some injuries take time to show up. Concussions, whiplash, and internal bleeding might not be obvious at first. If you settle before knowing the full extent of your injuries, you’re on the hook for the rest.
• You can’t go back for more – Once you sign that release, it’s over. Even if your medical condition worsens, you can’t ask for more money. A study by the Insurance Research Council found that people with lawyers got settlements 3.5 times higher than those who settled alone. That’s a huge difference.
• They’ll downplay your damages – Insurance adjusters aren’t your friends. They’re trained to make your claim look small. The National Safety Council reports that the average cost of a disabling injury is over $100,000, way more than most initial settlement offers.

Settling too soon is a mistake you can’t undo.

The Settlement Agreement Insurance Companies Hope You Don’t Read in Burlington

When you sign a settlement agreement, you’re signing away more than you think. Insurance companies stuff these documents with legal language designed to protect them—not you.

The Clauses That Could Wipe Out Your Legal Rights

Most settlement agreements contain hidden clauses that could seriously hurt you:

• Full release of liability – This means you can never file another claim for the same accident, even if new injuries appear. Spinal cord damage, for example, can take months or years to show up, leading to massive medical costs.
• Confidentiality agreements – Some settlements prevent you from talking about your case. Why? Because insurers don’t want people knowing how little they actually pay out.
• Indemnification clauses – Some agreements sneak in language that could make you responsible for other claims related to your accident, including unpaid medical bills or property damage.

Signing without reading every word? That’s exactly what the insurance company hopes you’ll do. Our personal injury lawyers can make sure you’re not signing away your rights.

Did You Sign a Settlement Release in Burlington? You Might Still Have Options.

Maybe you already signed a settlement and now regret it. Don’t panic—you might still have a way out. Vermont law provides specific situations where settlements can be challenged.

How Vermont Laws Might Allow You to Sue Anyway

Under Vermont law, a signed settlement isn’t always the final word. You may still have options if:

• You were misled – If the insurance company gave you false or incomplete information, your settlement might not hold up. Vermont courts have let accident victims reopen cases when they were given misleading medical cost estimates.
• You signed under pressure – If an insurer rushed or pressured you into signing, you could have grounds to challenge it. Many insurance companies push for quick settlements to avoid paying what victims actually deserve.
• The agreement is grossly unfair – If a settlement is shockingly low compared to your actual damages, a judge could throw it out. Some Vermont cases have overturned settlements where victims were left with massive unpaid medical bills.

A lawyer can help you figure out if you still have a shot at fair compensation.

Shady Tactics Burlington Insurers Use to Keep Payouts Low

Insurance companies don’t get rich by paying accident victims what they deserve. They use every trick in the book to keep their payouts as low as possible.

Why Most Victims Walk Away with Far Less Than They Deserve

Here’s how insurers play dirty:

• Dragging out your claim – They make you wait, hoping you’ll get desperate and take a bad deal. Studies show that insurance companies delay claims on purpose because they know people struggling financially are more likely to accept low offers.
• Denying valid claims – They’ll look for any excuse to reject your claim, even when it’s valid. The American Association for Justice ranks some major insurers among the worst for wrongful denials.
• Twisting your words – A simple statement like “I feel okay” can be used against you. Insurers love using recorded statements to argue you weren’t really hurt.
• Throwing out a lowball offer – They hope you’ll accept before you realize how much your case is worth. Research shows that first offers from insurers are often 40-60% lower than the actual value of a claim.

These companies are not on your side. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless.

A Burlington Lawyer Can Stop You from Making a Costly Mistake

You don’t have to deal with an insurance company alone. A skilled lawyer can make a massive difference in your case.

The Right Guidance Could Save You Thousands

A lawyer helps by:

• Reviewing settlement agreements to spot sneaky clauses before you sign.
• Calculating your full damages so you don’t settle for less than you need. Statistics show that Vermont accident victims with lawyers recover significantly more than those without representation.
• Negotiating with insurers to push for a fair payout. Insurers take cases more seriously when they know a lawyer is involved.
• Filing a lawsuit if necessary to fight for the compensation you deserve. Many cases settle for higher amounts once a lawsuit is officially filed.

You get one chance to settle your claim. Don’t let the insurance company lowball you.

Get a Burlington Lawyer Who Won’t Let Insurance Companies Push You Around

At Horn Wright, LLP, we know how insurance companies operate—and we know how to beat them. Our team of personal injury lawyers fights for Burlington accident victims, making sure they get the money they deserve. If you’re looking to hire one of the best law firms in America, we’re here to fight for you. Don’t settle for less. 

Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s get you the justice you’re owed.