Why do car accident settlements take so long? Insurance companies use delays to pay you less. Here’s how our Peoria car accident lawyers fight these tactics.
If you’re researching “why car accident settlements take so long,” you’ve likely discovered an uncomfortable truth: insurance companies deliberately drag out the process, hoping you’ll accept less money. For many accident victims in Peoria and throughout Illinois, these delay tactics add financial stress to physical recovery, exactly as insurance companies intend.
At Schierer & Ritchie, our Peoria car accident lawyers combat these insurance industry tactics while providing a dramatically different experience than corporate law firms that treat your case like another number.
Insurance Company Delay Tactics: Designed to Wear You Down
Insurance companies have a simple business model: collect premiums, minimize payouts. Their “delay, deny, defend” strategy is carefully crafted to exhaust you into accepting less than you deserve:
Deliberate Stalling
The longer your case drags on, the more financial pressure you feel to settle for less:
- Deliberately slow communication and response times
- Repeatedly “losing” or “misplacing” documents you’ve submitted
- Changing adjusters mid-case to restart the process
- Claiming they need additional documentation that isn’t relevant
- Endless internal “reviews” that mysteriously take weeks or months
Lowball Offers With False Urgency
After making you wait, they’ll suddenly rush you:
- Presenting lowball offers as “take it or leave it” propositions
- Creating artificial deadlines to force quick decisions
- Suggesting that their offer will decrease if not accepted immediately
- Implying your case is worth far less than it is
- Using intimidating legal language to confuse and pressure you
How the Wrong Attorney Can Affect Your Settlement
Many car accident victims don’t realize that some attorneys help insurance companies delay your case:
- High-volume “settlement mills” prioritize quick turnover over maximum value
- Inexperienced attorneys who don’t know how to counter insurance tactics
How Schierer & Ritchie Fights Back Against Insurance Tactics
Our Peoria personal injury attorneys know exactly how insurance companies operate, and we have effective strategies to counter their tactics:
We Apply Consistent Pressure
“ALWAYS a text or call away for whatever I needed!” – Willy N., car accident client
Unlike corporate firms where your case sits idle for weeks, our team maintains constant pressure on insurance companies. We don’t let adjusters “forget” about your claim or delay responses. When they stall, we push back immediately.
We Know Their Playbook
“They were very responsive and helped make a difficult process go more smoothly than one could imagine.” – Kara M., client
Having handled countless car accident claims against major insurers, we recognize delay tactics immediately. We anticipate their next moves and proactively address potential stalling points before they arise, keeping your case moving forward.
You Work Directly With Attorneys Insurance Companies Respect
“I got in an automobile accident in June 2023 as a passenger. Mr. Schierer and Brandon were amazing. Always keeping in contact.” – Amy, car accident client
Insurance adjusters behave differently when they know they’re dealing with experienced attorneys who will take them to court if necessary. When you work directly with our attorneys – not junior associates or paralegals – insurance companies understand we’re serious about maximizing your recovery.
Local Knowledge of Illinois Claims
As an independent, local firm focused on Illinois cases, we understand the specific insurance regulations, court systems, and settlement patterns in our community. This allows us to navigate potential roadblocks more effectively than national firms with cookie-cutter approaches.
We Turn Insurance Company Timelines Against Them
While insurance companies use time as a weapon against unrepresented victims or those with ineffective counsel, we transform these timelines into advantages for our clients:
Building Stronger Cases
The settlement process requires thorough documentation, but we use this time strategically:
- Ensuring all injuries are properly diagnosed and treated
- Documenting long-term impacts and future needs
- Collecting comprehensive evidence that insurance companies can’t dismiss
- Building a litigation-ready case that shows we’re prepared to go to court
- Creating leverage that leads to better settlement offers
Strategic Negotiation
We know when to push forward and when patience serves your interests:
- Presenting complete, professionally prepared demand packages
- Responding immediately to counteroffers with evidence-backed positions
- Conducting negotiations from a position of strength and preparation
- Setting and enforcing reasonable deadlines for insurance responses
- Maintaining momentum throughout the process
Keeping You Financially Protected
While we fight for maximum compensation, we help address immediate needs:
- Guiding you through available resources for medical care
- Assisting with property damage claims to restore transportation
- Working with medical providers on payment arrangements when possible
- Providing clear expectations about timelines to help you plan
- Explaining all developments in plain language so you understand what’s happening
Understanding Your Car Accident Settlement Process in Illinois
When you’ve been injured in a car accident, knowing what to expect can help reduce anxiety about the process. Here’s what happens when we handle your case:
1. Initial Evaluation and Medical Care
Your health comes first. We help ensure you’re receiving proper medical care while we begin investigating your accident. During this phase, we:
- Gather evidence from the accident scene
- Obtain police reports and witness statements
- Review your insurance coverage
- Begin documenting your injuries and treatment
2. Case Development
As your medical treatment progresses, we build your case by:
- Working with your healthcare providers to document your injuries
- Calculating current and future medical expenses
- Determining lost wages and earning capacity
- Assessing non-economic damages like pain and suffering
- Identifying all potentially liable parties
3. Negotiation and Resolution
Once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement or we have a clear understanding of your long-term prognosis, we:
- Prepare a comprehensive demand package
- Negotiate firmly with insurance companies
- Keep you informed of all offers and our recommendations
- Resolve medical liens and outstanding bills
- Finalize your settlement with your approval
Throughout this entire process, you’ll know exactly where your case stands and what to expect next.
What Our Clients Say About Fighting Insurance Companies and Winning
Our clients understand the difference our approach makes:
“I would highly recommend this law firm. Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be very stressful and time consuming. Fortunately I was able to work with Brandon and Charles who took care of everything.” – Klaudia F.
“I recommend Schierer & Ritchie if you’ve been injured in an accident because they answered every question I had, and walk me through the process from recovering from my injuries to getting a new vehicle after mine was totaled in the accident.” – DeMarcus W.
“I was hit by a drunk driver who fled the scene in early 2023. Throughout the whole process, the team at Schierer & Ritchie were extremely helpful and Brandon was ALWAYS a text or call away for whatever I needed!” – Willy N.
“I got in an automobile accident in June 2023 as a passenger. Mr. Schierer and Brandon were amazing. Always keeping in contact.” – Amy
Don’t Let Insurance Companies Win Their Delay Game
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Peoria or anywhere in Central Illinois, the insurance company is already implementing their delay tactics. The longer you wait to get proper legal representation, the more their strategy works against you.
At Schierer & Ritchie, we offer:
- Free consultations with attorneys who will actually handle your case
- Immediate action to counter insurance company delay tactics
- Local attorneys who know Peoria courts and insurance practices
- Direct access to experienced lawyers throughout your case
- Strategic approaches specifically designed to overcome insurance company games
Get Answers About Your Delayed Peoria Settlement Today
Don’t let insurance companies wear you down with delays while corporate law firms add to the problem. Contact our Peoria car accident lawyers today for a free consultation and learn how we fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Serving car accident victims throughout Peoria, East Peoria, Pekin, Morton, Washington, and all of Tazewell County. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless we win.
