When Insurance Companies Lowball Injury Claims: A San Diego Case That Shows Why Pushing Back Matters

Insurance companies often move quickly after a crash, especially when injuries appear limited on the surface. Early settlement offers are framed as reasonable, efficient, and fair. For injured victims, particularly those dealing with pain, uncertainty, and mounting medical bills, those offers can feel like the safest option.

A recent San Diego auto collision case handled by National Injury Help illustrates why accepting an initial offer can leave victims severely undercompensated, even when the injury seems straightforward.

A Common Insurance Tactic After Auto Accidents

In this case, our client suffered a broken thumb in a California motor vehicle collision. While some insurers attempt to characterize hand injuries as minor, fractures involving the thumb can have lasting consequences. The thumb plays a critical role in grip strength, fine motor skills, and daily function. Even a single fracture can impair work, household tasks, and long-term hand function.

Despite these realities, the insurance company made an early settlement offer of $25,000, seeking to close the case before the full impact of the injury could be properly evaluated.

Why the Initial Offer Fell Short

Early offers often reflect what insurers hope to pay, not what a case is truly worth.

In this situation, the offer failed to account for:

• The functional importance of the thumb in daily life and employment.
• The possibility of long-term impairment or limited mobility.
• Ongoing medical care and rehabilitation needs.
• Pain, suffering, and disruption to quality of life.

Rather than treating the injury as insignificant, our legal team recognized that the insurer’s valuation ignored the real consequences faced by the client.

Litigation as Leverage When Insurers Refuse to Be Fair

When negotiations failed to produce a fair outcome, our attorney, David Hiden, decided to file suit. This step often changes the dynamic of a case. Litigation forces insurers to confront the evidence, medical documentation, and expert analysis they previously discounted.

Filing suit also signals that a firm is prepared to take a case through the legal process rather than settling prematurely. In many cases, that willingness to litigate is what ultimately drives meaningful resolution.

The Final Result: Accountability and Fair Compensation

After litigation began and the case progressed, the matter was resolved for $625,000. The difference between the initial offer and the outcome highlights how dramatically a claim’s value can change when it is properly investigated, supported, and pursued.

More importantly, the result reflected:

• Recognition of the injury’s real impact.
• Accountability for the insurer’s attempt to minimize damages.
• Compensation aligned with the evidence, not the insurer’s assumptions.

For the client, the resolution meant more than a financial recovery. It meant validation that her injuries were taken seriously and that her rights were protected.

What This Case Shows: Injured Victims in San Diego

This case is not about guarantees or promises. Every injury claim depends on its own facts.

However, it does demonstrate several important realities for accident victims:

• Initial insurance offers are often far below a claim’s true value.
• Even injuries that appear limited can carry long-term consequences.
• Early legal involvement can prevent undervaluation.
• A willingness to litigate can significantly change outcomes.

Accepting an early settlement without understanding the full scope of an injury can permanently limit recovery.

How National Injury Help Approaches Auto Accident Cases

At National Injury Help, our attorneys do not evaluate cases based on convenience or speed. Each claim is analyzed on its merits, with attention to both immediate injuries and long-term effects. When insurers refuse to negotiate in good faith, our team is prepared to escalate the case and, when necessary, pursue accountability through litigation.

If you were injured in a San Diego County auto collision and are facing pressure to settle quickly, National Injury Help can help you understand your options and protect your rights before important decisions are made.

To speak with our team, contact National Injury Help today for a free consultation.

Disclaimer

Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case.

The case results described on this website are based on the specific facts and circumstances of those particular matters. Each legal case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits. Factors such as applicable law, jurisdiction, evidence, and the parties’ actions may materially affect the outcome.

Nothing on this website should be interpreted as a promise, guarantee, or prediction of the outcome of any legal matter. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.