What You Need To Know Before Negotiating A Payment With The Insurance Company After An Auto Collision
You can explore several legal options when pursuing compensation after suffering harm in a collision. The first one might be filing a claim with the offender's insurer. This can enable you to get a payment that covers your treatment expenses and other losses caused by the collision. However, some insurance firms are hesitant to offer complainants a fair payment. For this reason, it is advisable to hire a lawyer to fight for you to get your rightful payment. You also need to know the following before starting payment negotiations:
You Need to Know the Amount You Need
The settlement process usually starts with the insurance company's investigation of the crash. They then contact the complainant and make a settlement offer. In many cases, insurance companies offer a payment that may be insufficient to cover the plaintiff's losses. Some complainants accept these offers believing that the insurance firm has their best interests in mind.
Unfortunately, some plaintiffs regret this decision once they realize their payment is less than they need. This is why, before negotiations begin, you need to be aware of the payments to which you are entitled. This way, the insurance company will be less likely to convince you to accept a low offer. A vehicle accident attorney can evaluate the elements of your claim to ascertain what constitutes a fair payment. This information will guide them while negotiating with the insurance firm to ensure you get an acceptable payment.
Your Attorney Can Help You Counter Low Settlement Offers
The insurance company might raise different arguments to justify its low settlement offer. For instance, they may claim that you were partially to blame for the collision. They might also claim that the cost of treating and managing your injuries is not as high as you claim. When they raise these arguments, your lawyer will present evidence to prove that you deserve a substantial payment. They will then negotiate with the insurance agents until they agree on a favorable settlement.
Still, your attorney will not take too much time on negotiations if the insurance company is unwilling to offer you a favorable payment. Instead, they will explore other compensation options to enable you to get the payment you need. These might include filing an injury and property damage lawsuit against the parties at fault. In this case, they prepare and file your claim before the filing deadline runs out. This will ensure that you remain eligible for damages and increase your chances of getting your rightful payment.
If you plan to negotiate a payment with the insurance company, consider hiring a car accident attorney to represent you. They will protect your rights throughout the process and help you get a settlement that reflects the value of your claim.
Contact a car accident attorney for more information.