If you have been in an auto accident, you want to get a fair settlement through your personal injury claim. You want to negotiate a fair settlement, and you can have much greater success when you enlist the help of a personal injury attorney. Personal injury claims are challenging, and insurance companies don’t want to pay out any more than they must when a claim is filed. Her are a few tips for having a successful insurance claim after an auto accident.
- First, figure out all your damages. You don’t want to settle too fast. Make sure your injuries aren’t more serious than you initially believe. Sometimes back injuries or neck injuries are much more serious than you think they are at first. Before you speak with an insurance adjuster, you need to have a minimum settlement amount in mind. Always have a bottom line in mind before you start going back and forth with the insurance company.
- Don’t jump at the first offer. The first offer is always a lowball offer. And, if you don’t have an attorney, you aren’t going to be offered as much. They think you aren’t as serious about an accurate claim.
- Get the adjuster to justify any low offer. Ask the adjuster to point out facts that come into play. You might see some facts you hadn’t considered that might affect your claim, or the adjuster might have overlooked some important details. Make notes of the conversation and depending on the strength of the adjuster’s reasons, you might want to adjust your claim demands.
- Use emotional points in your favor. For example, if you gave the adjuster a photo of your damaged car, make mention of it. Point out the severity of your injuries and show photos of them. If you couldn’t take care of your child, be sure you mention that. Discuss about your limitations and restrictions and how your life was affected. While you can’t put a dollar amount on some of these circumstances, they can be powerful negotiation tools in an insurance claim.
- Don’t reduce your demand repeatedly until the adjuster responds. Never reduce your demand two times without an increased offer from the adjuster because it isn’t good negotiating and will negatively affect the outcome of your claim and its value.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in an auto accident, you should consult with a personal injury attorney before you try to negotiate with an auto insurance adjuster. Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, so you have nothing at all to lose. Your lawyer will not be paid until you are compensated. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to have your claim details reviewed by an attorney in your area. An attorney will determine the best way to proceed with your claim and a fair amount for your settlement. A strict statute of limitations applies, so don’t wait too long to get your case reviewed.
