How to Know If You’ve Received a Good Settlement

It is usually wise to wait until your treatment is finished and you know the full cost of your injuries. Get legal advice before you sign a release or any other settlement document. The Law Offices of J. Chrisp offers a free consultation with no fee unless we win, and the phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477).

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When is it too early to settle?

It is too early to settle while you are still treating. It is also too early before your doctors can say whether you will need future care and before you know how much work you will miss. Until then, the full cost of your injuries is not known.

Waiting does have a limit. Most California injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). Injury claims against a public entity require a written claim within six months (Government Code section 911.2).

Signs an offer may be too low

Warning sign	Why it matters
The offer comes within days or weeks of the crash	Your injuries and future care may not be known yet
It covers only the bills you have so far	It leaves out future treatment, lost income and pain and suffering
The adjuster says you were partly at fault without explaining why	Under pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975), a share of fault reduces your recovery but does not end it

How policy limits affect an offer

For policies issued or renewed since January 1, 2025, California’s minimum liability coverage is $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident (Vehicle Code section 16056). Before accepting an offer at the at-fault driver’s policy limit, find out whether other coverage exists.

Recorded statements, medical authorizations and releases

Do not give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement before you have legal advice. The same applies to signing a broad medical authorization for that insurer. If you provide records, keep them to the treatment for this crash.

Read any release carefully, and get legal advice before you sign it.

Frequently asked questions

Should I accept the first settlement offer from an insurance company?

It is usually wise to wait until your treatment is finished and you know the full cost of your injuries. Get legal advice before you sign a release.

Should I give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement?

Do not give one before you have legal advice. The same goes for signing a broad medical authorization for that insurer.

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in California?

Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Injury claims against a public entity require a written claim within six months under Government Code section 911.2.

How much does it cost to talk to a lawyer about a settlement offer?

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp offers a free consultation and works on a contingency fee. There is no fee unless we win. The firm answers the phone 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477).

If an insurer has made you a settlement offer after a car accident, call the Law Offices of J. Chrisp 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477) for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.

About the Law Offices of J. Chrisp

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp is a Northern California personal injury law firm founded by attorney Jesse Chrisp, who was raised in Lake County. The firm represents injured people, with offices in Lower Lake (main office), Santa Rosa and San Francisco, and serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area. Consultations are free, the firm works on a contingency fee with no fee unless the firm wins, and the phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477). The firm was named to Best Law Firms 2026 (Tier 1, Santa Rosa, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs). Jesse Chrisp has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2024 and selected to Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2026.