For the most part, once an accident claim is settled, that's it, and a lawsuit cannot be filed from that point on. When you settle a claim, the insurer will have you sign an agreement that prevents you from changing your mind and suing them for that accident at a later date. After a settlement agreement has been signed, this releases an insurer from making any further payments on that claim. This does not apply to any future accident claim from a different incident.

To prevent any long term consequences of settling a claim prematurely, you should have an accident attorney review your settlement documents and outline the options are available to you.