Suffering an auto accident injury can unexpectedly complicate your life. You didn’t plan on spending time at the hospital, recovering at home, or participating in physical therapy, just like you didn’t anticipate having to pay for these medical bills and other expenses. Auto accident victims have the right to pursue compensation to help cover these costs. However, negotiating a fair settlement can be difficult, especially if the insurance company attempts to lowball or undermine your claim. Here are a few pointers for making these negotiations as productive and equitable as possible.
Take Action as Soon as Possible
In general, the sooner you report the accident to the insurance company, the more time claim investigators will have to examine the details of the incident. Crucial evidence, such as witness statements, weather reports, photographs from the scene, and police reports, will be fresher and more useful. As time passes, your recollection of what happened may fade, so preserve your memories in writing and initiate the claims process right away.
Determine a Fair Settlement Amount
It’s a good idea to arrive at a settlement amount that feels equitable before you receive the insurance company’s initial offer. With your calculation in mind, you can determine whether their offer provides you enough compensation to assist you with your recovery. Work with your auto accident attorney to assess your medical costs, income losses, long-term care needs, and other expenses incurred by the injury to estimate a fair settlement amount. If the insurance company’s offer falls short of this amount, you should consider pushing forward with further negotiations.
Push Back Against Unjust Settlement Offers
Remember, you do not have to accept the first settlement offer. In most cases, an insurer will offer you the lowest amount they can in order to save themselves money. While you may feel tempted to accept the offer and move on with your life, go over your options with your attorney to determine whether further negotiations could serve you. As insurance companies often want to avoid court at all costs, they will likely work with you to arrive at a more just offer.
Reach out to the trusted and compassionate auto accident lawyers at Henderson Taylor Law Firm to learn more about how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call (360) 737-1478 to get started with a dedicated Vancouver attorney.
