Top Reason Why Insurance Companies Discourage Car Accident Victims From Hiring An Attorney
After a car accident in New York City, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. You may be in pain, facing medical bills, missing work, and trying to figure out what happens next. Then the insurance company calls. The adjuster sounds friendly. They say they can wrap this up quickly. They may even suggest you do not need a lawyer.
Here is the truth. Insurance companies discourage car accident victims from hiring an attorney because attorneys create pushback, and pushback costs the insurer money.
At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we have seen this pattern time and again. When an injury victim has legal representation, the insurance company is far less able to control the narrative, minimize injuries, delay accountability, or pressure someone into accepting less than they deserve.
If you were hurt in a crash in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, we are here to protect you, your recovery, and your future.
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No fee unless we win
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) or contact us online to get started
The Top Reason: Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer Forces Insurance Companies to Pay More
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their goal is not to help you through a difficult time. Their goal is to close your claim as quickly and as cheaply as possible.
When a personal injury attorney gets involved, insurers often have to increase what they pay because:
- Lowball settlement offers get challenged
- Evidence is gathered and presented properly
- The actual cost of injuries is documented
- Insurance tactics get called out and neutralized
- The insurer must justify its position
- The risk of a lawsuit becomes real
In other words, a lawyer changes the power dynamic. From the insurer’s perspective, that is bad business.
Why Insurance Companies Want You to Handle Your NYC Car Accident Claim Alone
Insurance adjusters handle claims every day. Most accident victims do not. That imbalance is exactly what insurers rely on, especially after a serious car crash in New York City.
When you do not have an attorney, insurance companies may assume:
- You do not know what your car accident case is worth
- You do not know what you are entitled to under New York law
- You will accept the first offer because you need the money
- You will miss deadlines, overlook damages, or say something that weakens your claim
- You will be more easily pressured into a recorded statement or a quick release
That is why insurers often act friendly at first. The longer you stay unrepresented, the more control they have over your claim.
The Most Common Insurance Company Tactics After a Car Accident in NYC
Insurance companies rarely say, “Do not hire a lawyer.” Instead, they use subtle pressure and misinformation designed to get you to settle quickly.
1) Quick, Low Settlement Offers
They may offer you money quickly, before you fully understand your injuries or have finished treatment. It can feel like relief until you realize:
- Medical bills continue for weeks or months
- You need physical therapy or rehabilitation
- You cannot work like you used to
- Surgery becomes necessary
- Pain and suffering are real and ignored by the offer
Once you accept and sign a release, you may give up your right to pursue additional compensation later.
2) Creating a False Sense of Urgency
Adjusters may say:
- “You should settle now while the offer is on the table.”
- “A lawyer will delay things.”
- “This is the best we can do.”
- “You will end up paying a third of your settlement anyway.”
What they do not tell you is that when an attorney gets involved, insurers often have to increase the offer significantly because they cannot get away with a low number as easily.
3) Downplaying Injuries and Long-Term Impact
It is common for insurers to question:
- Whether treatment was necessary
- Whether injuries are grave
- Whether pain and suffering are real
- Whether a pre-existing condition causes symptoms
This is especially common with back and neck injuries, concussions, soft tissue damage, herniated discs, and chronic pain conditions.
4) Shifting Blame to Reduce Compensation
Insurance companies frequently argue that you were partially at fault, entirely at fault, not paying attention, or responsible due to traffic conditions.
New York follows a comparative negligence system so that shared fault can reduce compensation. Insurers often use blame as a weapon to shrink payouts.
5) Delaying and Wearing You Down
Some claims are intentionally dragged out through repeated document requests and endless review periods. The goal is simple. Please feel free to stress yourself out until you give up or accept less.
Why Insurers Offer Fast Money When You Are Vulnerable
After a crash, you are often under financial pressure. That is precisely when insurers move quickly because they know:
- You may need money now
- You may not know what your claim is worth
- You may accept a low offer to stop the stress
But once you settle, you may not be able to reopen your case, no matter how serious your injuries become.
Before you agree to anything, get legal advice from a New York City car accident lawyer.
What Changes When Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Represents You
Insurance companies do not like dealing with lawyers because lawyers force them to take claims seriously.
When we represent a car accident victim in NYC, we:
- Gather police reports, witness statements, photos, video, and medical records
- Work to prove fault and liability, including complex NYC crash scenarios
- Document damages including emergency care, hospitalization, rehab, future medical costs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Push back against unfair settlement offers with evidence and expert support
- Negotiate aggressively and prepare every case as though it may go to trial
Insurance companies know when a claim is backed by real legal pressure. That is when their approach changes.
Why Your NYC Car Accident Claim Is Often Worth More Than the Insurance Company Pretends
Many people underestimate the actual cost of an accident, especially early in recovery. Insurance companies often focus on complex numbers, such as the first ER bill or a few days of missed work.
A real personal injury claim can include:
- Future medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Chronic pain and long-term limitations
- Missed career opportunities and reduced earning capacity
- Mental health impacts, including anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD symptoms
- The ripple effect on family, parenting, relationships, and daily life
If the insurance company tries to settle your case before your medical picture is clear, that is not in your best interest. It is for theirs.
Why Insurance Companies Fear Lawsuits
Most personal injury cases resolve through settlement. But insurers know something important. The moment a lawyer is involved, the possibility of litigation becomes real.
Lawsuits create:
- Higher financial exposure
- Legal fees and defense costs
- Risk of losing in front of a jury
- Loss of control over the timeline
- Formal evidence demands and court deadlines
Even the credible threat of a lawsuit can cause insurers to reconsider low offers and negotiate more seriously.
Common Disputes in NYC Car Accident Cases and How Lawyers Fight Back
Insurance companies often challenge injury claims in predictable ways.
Medical Bills and Treatment
They may argue that treatment was not necessary, therapy went on too long, providers charged too much, or injuries are unrelated or pre-existing. A lawyer can connect treatment to the crash with documentation and expert support.
Pain and Suffering
Insurers often downplay pain and suffering as subjective or hard to prove. Attorneys strengthen these claims with doctor notes, therapy records, recovery documentation, and statements from family and friends.
Liability and Fault
Insurers may claim you were partly at fault, the facts are unclear, or the evidence is disputed. Attorneys use police reports, witnesses, photos, video footage, and expert analysis when necessary.
NYC Car Accident Cases We Handle
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP represents injury victims across all five boroughs, including:
- Rear-end crashes
- T-bone and intersection collisions
- Hit and run accidents
- Uber and Lyft rideshare crashes
- Taxi and black car accidents
- Bus accidents, including MTA and private buses
- Commercial vehicle and delivery truck collisions
- Construction zone crashes
- Pedestrian and cyclist accidents
- Serious injury and wrongful death cases
If you were injured in a NYC traffic accident, we are ready to step in and protect you.
Call Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Before You Sign Anything
If the insurance company is pressuring you to settle quickly or telling you not to complicate things by hiring a lawyer, take that as a warning sign.
You only get one chance to settle a claim. Once you sign a release, you may lose your right to pursue more, no matter what your injuries become.
We want to review your case at no cost.
Free consultation
No fee unless we win
Serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) or contact us online to get started
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do insurance companies discourage car accident victims from hiring an attorney?
Attorneys increase the value of claims and stop insurers from controlling the process. A lawyer challenges low offers, demands documentation, and creates pressure to pay what the claim is worth.
Do insurance companies pay less when you do not have a lawyer?
Very often, yes. Insurers know that unrepresented people may not understand their legal rights or the full value of their damages. That makes it easier to offer less and settle faster.
Why do insurers offer quick settlements after a crash?
Quick settlements often benefit the insurer because they can resolve the claim before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Once you sign, you may give up the right to seek additional compensation, even if your condition worsens.
Will hiring a lawyer delay my case?
A lawyer may need time to investigate, document injuries, and negotiate for full value. That can take longer than a quick settlement, but it also protects you from settling too early and too cheaply.
What if the insurance adjuster seems friendly and helpful?
That is common. Adjusters are trained to build trust while protecting the company’s interests. They may sound supportive, but their job is to minimize payouts, not maximize your recovery.
Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?
Not before speaking to a lawyer. Recorded statements can be used to undermine your claim, twist your words, or suggest you are exaggerating.
What damages can I recover after a NYC car accident?
Depending on your case, compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, rehabilitation, and long-term care costs. In wrongful death cases, additional damages may apply.
What if the insurance company claims I was partly at fault?
New York follows comparative negligence rules. Even if you share some responsibility, you may still be able to recover compensation. Insurers often exaggerate fault to reduce what they pay.
Do most car accident cases go to trial?
Most settle outside of court, but strong legal representation includes preparing every case as if a trial is possible. Insurance companies negotiate more seriously when they know you are ready to litigate if needed.
How much does it cost to hire Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?
Nothing upfront. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay unless we win.
What should I do before accepting any settlement?
Could you speak with an attorney first? Settlement offers can be far below the actual value of your case, especially if you have not completed treatment. We can review the offer and discuss your options during a free consultation.
Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari?
- Local Harlem office for convenience and trust
- No fee unless we win your case, Our Fee Guarantee
- Bilingual services available
- Hundreds of positive client reviews and testimonials speak for themselves
- We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing
- Top-rated, award-winning lawyers, including Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers
Do Not Be a Victim Twice. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)
At Greenstein & Pittari, we specialize exclusively in personal injury law with a proven track record of results, responsiveness, and relentless advocacy. We offer free consultations, work on a contingency basis, and fight for clients every day across New York. Our firm’s motto is “Don’t Be a Victim Twice.”
If you are a victim of an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured car, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to schedule a confidential consultation.
We have seven convenient locations throughout New York. We maintain offices in Harlem, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County. Your convenience is our top priority.
You can call us today at 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward the compensation and justice you deserve.
The call is free. The consultation is free. You do not pay us unless we are successful. That is our Fee Guarantee: No Fee Unless Successful.