When a person is involved in a vehicle accident, they often experience injuries and property damage. Most people believe their insurance company will gladly cover all the expenses associated with their loss. This is when individuals come to realize the goal of all insurance companies is to pay the least amount possible to satisfy a claim. The initial settlement offer provided by an insurance company will always be low. There are things that can be done to get a settlement offer that is fair.
Prior to Offer
Before an insurance adjuster makes an offer, they will have interviewed witnesses as well as carefully analyzed the police report. They will have studied the medical records and looked at pictures of the accident scene. It is possible for an insurance adjuster to have gone to the accident scene. After all of this information has been obtained and analyzed; the insurance adjuster will provide a financial amount to settle the claim.
Analyze Offer
A car accident victim benefits from discussing the settlement offer made to them by the insurance company with an experienced attorney. These legal professionals will know the true value of a claim and not have an emotional response. An attorney will understand the initial settlement offer is the starting point of settlement negotiations. They will know how to analyze the offer and identify reasons the settlement amount should be increased. It is common for the initial offer to be rejected and a counteroffer provided.
Written Response
An experienced attorney will know how to properly respond to the initial settlement offer in writing. Before doing this, the insurance adjuster may be contacted by the attorney and asked many specific questions about how the settlement amount was determined. It’s important to try to make them justify the settlement amount. An attorney will know the true value of a claim. They will ask the adjuster to provide very specific reasons for the amount of their settlement offer. The responses given will provide essential information for drafting a response. An experienced attorney will know how to make an effective argument for an increase with a settlement counter offer.
Emotional Points
During the negotiation process, an attorney will know how to use the strongest elements of a case to their client’s benefit. This could include the impact the accident has had on their client’s life and future. An accident could have an impact on a person’s job, home life, personal relationships and more. An attorney will know how to present legitimate and emotional reasons why a settlement offer needs to be a fair amount.
Different Offers
During the negotiating process, it could involve a variety of offers and counteroffers. A person who is not accustomed to these types of negotiations can be worn down by an experienced insurance adjuster. An attorney is used to engaging in these types of negotiations. They will know what is involved and what to expect during them.
Fair Settlement
It is rare, but it does happen. When insurance adjusters know an attorney is involved with the settlement process, they may make a fair settlement offer to quickly close the case. They will do this because they know the settlement amount an attorney will consider fair. An insurance adjuster’s goal in this situation is to avoid a long and possibly tedious negotiation process.
In Writing
An attorney is able to negotiate the best possible settlement offer for a car accident. They will also know how to get the insurance company’s settlement offer in writing. Once the documents from the insurance company is received, an attorney will carefully review it. They will know the proper wording for as well as fair settlement terms and more. Once an attorney is satisfied a settlement agreement includes everything agreed upon during the negotiations, they will present it to their client for consideration.
Contact an Attorney
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