Think You’re Getting Justice in Garden City? Your Settlement Says Otherwise.

The ugly truth about insurance settlements

After an accident, Horn Wright, LLP, and its team of dedicated personal injury attorneys know you’re dealing with more than just pain. There are medical bills piling up, lost wages, and the emotional weight of everything that’s happened. It’s a lot. 

Then, an insurance adjuster calls, sounding helpful, maybe even concerned. They slide a settlement offer your way, making it seem like the best option. But here’s the thing: what they don’t tell you could cost you thousands.

Before You Sign That Settlement in Garden City, Read This!

The legal traps hidden in fine print

Insurance companies love speed. The faster they can get you to sign, the less they have to pay. They know you're in a tough spot, and they use that against you. Those settlement papers? They’re packed with fine print designed to protect them, not you.

Here’s what they don’t want you to realize:

• Personal injury attorneys will tell you the moment you sign, you’re usually waiving your right to any future claims, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than you thought.
• Some settlements include sneaky clauses that limit your ability to sue for additional medical costs, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
• They know you’re stressed and overwhelmed. They’re banking on you not taking the time to read and understand every clause.

A rushed decision could leave you struggling later. Don’t sign anything until you know exactly what you’re agreeing to.

Did You Sign a Settlement Release? Garden City Victims Might Still Have Options.

When the law lets you fight back

Signed a release? That might not be the end of the story. If the insurance company played dirty—misrepresented the terms, withheld critical information, or pressured you unfairly—you could have legal grounds to fight back.

Some situations where a signed release might not hold up:

• Bad faith tactics: If the insurer lied, misled you, or used unethical tactics to push you into settling, you may have a case under New York’s bad faith insurance laws.
• New evidence: If medical tests or expert evaluations reveal injuries that weren’t diagnosed at the time of the settlement.
• Fraud: If they deliberately downplayed your claim’s worth or manipulated evidence to justify a lower payout.

Don’t assume you’re out of options. If something feels off, it’s worth having a lawyer review your case.

Garden City Insurance Companies Are Betting You Won’t Catch These Tricks

How they cut payouts and limit future claims

Insurance companies don’t make billions by being generous. They use calculated strategies to reduce what they pay you. Watch out for these common tricks:

• Quick Settlement Offers: They’ll throw out a lowball offer before you even know the full extent of your injuries. Studies show early settlement offers are often 30-40% lower than what victims get with legal help.
• Blame-Shifting: In New York, comparative negligence laws mean if they can pin even part of the blame on you, they can slash your payout. Don’t let them twist your words.
• Downplaying Your Injuries: Adjusters love to act like they know more than your doctor. A study by the Insurance Research Council found settlements were 3.5 times higher when victims had an attorney.
• Delay Tactics: They drag things out, knowing financial pressure might push you to accept less just to get it over with.
• Overwhelming Paperwork: They drown you in requests for documents, hoping you’ll make a mistake that lets them deny or reduce your claim.

Knowing these tricks puts you in a stronger position. Personal injury attorneys have seen these tactics time and time again, and they know exactly how to counter them. You don’t have to play their game.

A Garden City Lawyer Can Get You the Money You Deserve—Here’s How

The key to avoiding a bad settlement

Going up against an insurance company alone is like playing poker against a pro with a stacked deck. Having a lawyer levels the playing field. Here’s how they help:

• They Negotiate Like Pros: Studies show people who hire lawyers get settlements that are, on average, three times higher than those who go it alone.
• They Know the Law Inside and Out: New York’s statute of limitations gives you three years to file most personal injury claims. Miss that deadline, and you get nothing. A lawyer makes sure that doesn’t happen.
• They Build a Stronger Case: They collect expert testimony, medical records, and accident reports to prove your claim’s full value.
• They’re Ready to Go to Court: About 95% of personal injury cases settle before trial, but insurance companies take you more seriously when they know you have a lawyer who’s ready to fight.

With the right lawyer, you don’t have to stress about negotiations, paperwork, or getting shortchanged. You focus on healing, and they handle the rest.

Don’t Get Cheated—Get Every Dollar You Deserve

Insurance companies want you to feel powerless. They want you to think their first offer is the best you’ll get. But you don’t have to accept less than you deserve. Personal injury attorneys can make sure you get every dollar you’re owed. At Horn Wright, LLP, recognized as one of the best law firms in America, we know their tricks, and we know how to fight back. 

Let’s make sure you get the money you actually need—not just what they’re willing to give. Call us today.