If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know that the last thing on your mind right after the crash is how you will pay the medical bills and repair bills that pile up. You should check for injuries to yourself and everyone in your car before checking for damage to the vehicle itself. If you were wounded in a car accident or your vehicle was damaged, it is in your best interest to start considering financial compensation as soon as possible. To that end, we have prepared a helpful guide on how to negotiate your car accident settlement for maximum payment.
Seek legal help
While dealing with a claim for damages after a vehicle accident, remember that you’re not alone. After a car accident, your first step should be to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney. It’s a huge advantage to have an attorney on your side. Just as lawyers at The Law Office of Carl Maltese explain, everyone engaged in a car crash is likely to feel some level of anxiety. Nevertheless, if you’ve been hurt in a vehicle accident, the no-fault legal system might be even more difficult to understand.
A competent attorney will be familiar with the law and the strategies used by insurance companies to avoid paying out claims. It is considerably more likely that you will get a settlement that is fair and reasonable if you have legal representation.
One further perk of hiring a lawyer: they’ll handle communication with the insurers on your behalf. They’ll fight tooth and nail for your interests and ensure your automobile accident claim ends successfully.
Keep certain things private
Understanding that the claims adjuster will do everything in their power to exploit what you say against you is important. In the event of an automobile accident, their primary goal is to reduce the amount of money you may get in compensation. The insurance company’s only concern is minimizing costs.
It’s important to be honest about what happened in the car crash, but you shouldn’t say anything you’ll later come to regret. Your injuries and the seriousness of the accident should be emphasized.
Have a number in mind
One’s medical bills and property damage are the two most common sorts of damages one might seek after an automobile accident. Create a minimum and maximum payout range after tallying up all of the costs and losses you incurred as a result of the accident. Keep this information to yourself and avoid telling the insurance company. Keep in mind that the claims adjuster can only offer you what you ask for.
Be patient and persistent
A settlement for a vehicle accident may take months to negotiate. When medical costs are piling up or you’re waiting for auto repairs, a little amount of time might seem like an eternity. It’s crucial that you maintain composure and a level of professionalism during the procedure. It’s frustrating when the adjuster gives you the impression you’re not seriously hurt.
Your claim will be processed quickly, but the settlement procedure might take a long time. In most cases, the adjuster will spend little more than 30 days looking into your claim. Document all of your contacts with the insurance provider on a calendar. Getting in touch with them to find out where they are in the settlement process is a good idea if you haven’t heard anything from them in a few weeks. Make it clear that you are waiting patiently but expect to see progress soon. Your claim may be transferred or lost if you don’t keep track of it.
Don’t accept the first offer
There’s a chance the insurance adjuster’s first offer is so low because they want to test your negotiation skills. Perhaps it is a fair offer that is just too low. You may instantly make a counteroffer that is somewhat lower than the amount you demanded in your letter if the offer is appropriate. The adjuster will see that you, too, are moderate and open to compromise if you do this. With a little more negotiation, you should be able to rapidly reach a settlement sum that you both agree is fair.
Put everything in writing
After you and the insurance adjuster have reached an agreement, confirm the conditions in writing as soon as possible. You may keep this letter brief by only noting the settlement amount, the parties involved, and the injuries or losses that will be covered by the settlement.
Almost everyone has been in an accident at some point. Your interaction with vehicle insurance companies, both your own and the other driver’s, is certain when an accident occurs. At this crucial time, the insurance company will determine how much money they will provide you to cover the costs of the accident.
