The initial personal injury offer is low. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence in Missouri, chances are you’ll receive a quick settlement offer from the at-fault party’s insurance company. More often than not, this initial personal injury offer is significantly lower than what the case ultimately settles for. That’s no accident.

Why is the Initial Personal Injury Offer Low?

Insurance companies are in the business of minimizing payouts. Their adjusters are trained to close claims quickly and cheaply. When an injury victim is unrepresented or still reeling from a truck accident, a negligent medical procedure, or an on-the-job injury, a lowball offer can seem tempting. This is especially true when medical bills pile up. Additionally, lost wages can create financial pressure. Early offers rarely account for the full value of your claim.

In Missouri, a personal injury offer encompasses not only current medical expenses and lost income. It also may include future medical treatment, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. It takes time—and in many cases, expert input—to fully assess these damages. A quick offer is likely based solely on the most obvious and immediate expenses, rather than the long-term consequences of your injury.

What is Comparative Fault?

Further, Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule. That means your compensation can be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you in the incident. Still, it also means insurance companies will often try to assign more blame to you than is fair, justifying a lower personal injury offer. Without legal guidance, many claimants accept these assumptions without question.

An Experienced Lawyer Can Negotiate a Better Personal Injury Offer

It’s also important to understand that initial offers are part of a negotiation strategy. Just like any business deal, the first offer is rarely the best one. With proper legal representation, your attorney can gather the evidence, engage the right medical and financial experts, and push back on unfair fault determinations to reach a settlement that reflects the actual value of your case.

Bottom line: that first offer is often a starting point, not a fair conclusion. Don’t leave money on the table. In Missouri personal injury cases, patience and strong advocacy during negotiations usually lead to a far better result.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t settle for less than you deserve. The insurance company’s first offer is not the final word. At Kennedy, Robbins, Yarbro & Henson, LC, our attorneys and staff are committed to helping our clients secure fair compensation for their injuries. Contact us today. We’re  here to help, every step of the way.