Client Victory: Policy Limits Recovered After Insurance Company Started With a Lowball Offer
Insurance companies often start negotiations slow and low, hoping an injured person will accept far less than their case is worth. In this case, that strategy failed.
Attorney Jason Binette of Shane Smith Law successfully pushed a reluctant insurance carrier to tender full policy limits for his client after a rear-end collision that initially drew little respect from the insurer.
How the Accident Happened
Our client, referred to here as T.T., was rear-ended in a motor vehicle collision in February 2020. He was 51 years old at the time of the crash.
Although the vehicle damage was not a total loss, the impact was significant enough to cause real injuries that required emergency care and follow-up treatment.
Like many rear-end collision cases, the insurance company attempted to minimize both the crash and the injuries from the very beginning.
Initial Medical Treatment and Injuries
Immediately after the accident, T.T. was evaluated in the emergency room. Medical records documented:
- A shoulder strain and contusion noted at the ER
- Ongoing pain requiring chiropractic care
- Referral and treatment with orthopedic specialists
T.T. treated with multiple providers, including chiropractic care and an orthopedic evaluation at Carolina Bone and Joint. His treatment was consistent, documented, and medically appropriate.
The Insurance Company’s Low Initial Offer
Despite clear documentation in the emergency room records, the insurance carrier attempted to downplay the case.
Their initial position was essentially:
- The crash was “low impact”
- The shoulder injury was not related
- The case was worth little more than medical bills
At one point, the insurer was only willing to consider damages in the range of $12,000 to $18,000, far below the true value of the case.
The Turning Point: Holding the Insurance Company Accountable
Attorney Jason Binette and the Shane Smith Law team did not accept the carrier’s narrative.
Instead, they did what insurance companies understand best:
- Pointed directly to the ER records documenting shoulder injury from day one
- Laid out the full treatment timeline
- Clearly explained the medical causation
- Put the carrier on notice that failure to act reasonably would expose their insured
A firm, detailed demand letter made it clear that the evidence supported the claim and that the insurer’s position was not defensible.
Full Policy Limits Tendered
After reviewing the documentation and legal exposure, the insurance company reversed course.
Rather than continuing to dispute the claim, the carrier tendered full policy limits, giving the client the maximum recovery available under the policy.
The difference between the initial offer and the final result was dramatic, and the client was extremely satisfied with both the outcome and the process.
What This Case Shows
This case highlights several important truths about injury claims:
- Low property damage does not mean low injury value
- Emergency room documentation matters
- Early medical records are critical
- Insurance companies test resolve before paying fairly
- Persistence and preparation change outcomes
As Jason Binette put it simply, sometimes the key is digging in your heels. Insurance companies know what they are doing, but so do we.
We Push Back When Insurance Companies Push Down
At Shane Smith Law, we do not accept unfair offers simply because an insurance company hopes a client will give up.
We build the case.
We document the injuries.
We put carriers on notice.
And we push until the result matches the facts.
If you were injured in a car accident and the insurance company is minimizing your claim, do not handle it alone.
Shane Smith Law
📞 980-999-9999
In pain? Call Shane.
