John Doubles Initial Offer By Finding Errors Made By Insurance Company |
In this week’s case review, Shane Smith sat down with John Mobley of Shane Smith Law to discuss a client victory that shows how careful investigation and persistence can turn a severely undervalued claim into a six-figure settlement.
How the Accident Happened
The client, referred to as R.G., was injured in a serious T-bone collision caused by an inattentive driver. The impact occurred at approximately 20 miles per hour and was forceful enough to deploy the airbags. R.G. was shaken at the scene and immediately began experiencing injuries following the crash.
Although the speed may not sound extreme to an insurance company on paper, the force of the impact and the resulting injuries told a very different story.
A Long and Escalating Course of Treatment
R.G. began with conservative treatment, focusing on pain relief, strength, and mobility. While this type of care helped somewhat, it did not resolve her pain. As is often the case with more serious spinal injuries, conservative care alone had clear limitations.
R.G. was then referred to an orthopedic specialist and a spine specialist for more advanced evaluation and treatment. This next phase included injections, which served two important purposes. First, they helped reduce her pain. Second, they acted as diagnostic tools, allowing doctors to confirm exactly which area of the spine was causing her symptoms.
Although the injections provided some relief, they did not eliminate the pain entirely. That information helped the specialists pinpoint the source of the problem and move forward with a surgical option.
Surgery and Recovery
Based on the results of the injections, R.G. underwent an endoscopic rhizotomy. This minimally invasive procedure targets the specific nerve causing pain and avoids the need for more invasive surgeries like spinal fusion.
The surgery was successful and relieved most, if not all, of R.G.’s pain. After her recovery, the legal team gathered her medical records, bills, and treatment documentation and prepared a comprehensive demand package to submit to the insurance company.
A Low Initial Offer Raised Red Flags
Despite the seriousness of the injuries and the level of treatment required, the insurance company responded with a very low initial offer in the five-figure range. Based on experience, this immediately raised concerns.
The offer did not align with the medical evidence, the surgery performed, or the overall impact the accident had on R.G.’s life. Something clearly did not add up.
Finding the Insurance Company’s Error
Through continued pressure and follow-up, the legal team uncovered a critical mistake. The insurance company believed R.G. had been involved in a prior accident that explained her injuries. In reality, they were referencing an accident involving a completely different person.
Once this error was identified and corrected, the foundation of the insurance company’s low valuation collapsed. With the misunderstanding cleared up and the full medical picture properly documented, negotiations shifted quickly.
From Five Figures to a Six-Figure Settlement
After correcting the insurer’s mistake and resubmitting supporting documentation, the settlement offer increased dramatically. What began as a low five-figure offer grew to more than double its original amount and ultimately exceeded six figures.
This increase allowed R.G. to cover the majority of her medical bills and walk away with meaningful compensation for what she endured.
A Key Lesson From This Case
This case highlights how critical it is to question insurance company valuations, especially when they do not match the evidence. Adjusters often handle large caseloads, and errors do happen. Without experienced legal advocacy, those errors can cost injured people a significant amount of compensation.
Persistence, attention to detail, and a willingness to push back made the difference in this case.
Final Thoughts
R.G.’s case is a powerful example of why accepting the first offer is rarely the right move and why having the right legal team matters. By identifying an insurance company error and refusing to settle prematurely, the outcome changed entirely.
If you want to learn more about what to do after a car accident, you can request a free copy of The Victim’s Survival Guide to Car Accidents.
If you are in pain, call Shane at 980-999-9999 to speak with the team at Shane Smith Law.
