Any car accident must pay you for: Medical expenses Lost wages Pain and suffering Emotional trauma Loss of enjoyment of life While the insurance company has some legal duties to handle your claim promptly, it does not mean they will immediately offer you the full amount of money you deserve. They may make you a settlement offer in short order. Chances are that it will not be an outstanding settlement offer. Likely, it will be for far less than you deserve. You do not have to accept the settlement offer because the insurance company is not in control of your legal rights.