If you’ve been injured in an accident, one of the challenging aspects you need to deal with is your negotiation with the insurance company to get a fair and proper settlement. More often than not, your insurance provider will do their best to lessen your claim amounts as small as possible.
Depending on the situation, they can diminish or reject your entire claim for personal injury. Luckily, there are some ways that can help you receive the right amount of compensation for being injured in an accident.
Below are four secrets to obtaining a proper settlement package for your personal injury:
- Engage With A Lawyer
If you want to get compensated for the right settlement amount from the insurance company, one of the best things to do is to consult and work with an experienced lawyer. As mentioned, most insurance service providers can do everything in their power to pay as little as possible. For instance, they can use anything you say or do to lower your settlement.
For this reason, you need a dedicated lawyer from a reliable law firm like Fasig | Brooks and others who can legally negotiate terms with the insurance company on your behalf all the while protecting your rights and interests. This can be especially useful if there’s a question of fault and if you’re seeking future damages.
Since settlement proceedings can become complicated, having a lawyer by your side can help you draft a strong argument and prevent the insurance company from violating your rights and interests.
- Do A Complete Investigation
Being an injured victim in an accident may entitle you to a right to file a personal injury claim with the insurance company. However, if you want to increase the odds of obtaining a proper settlement, it can be a great idea to conduct a complete investigation of the incident. With this undertaking in place, you can gain a better understanding of what happened and how you can handle the claims process to achieve a favorable outcome.
Generally, you can start the investigation by not leaving the accident scene empty-handed. This is especially true if you’ve been involved in a vehicular accident or collision. If there are witnesses present during the event, make sure to get their contact information. Also, to strengthen your investigation efforts, take some photos of the essential elements in your case. These can include the accident scene, injuries, and other related damages.
Remember, by doing an investigation, you can secure some valuable pieces of evidence that you and your lawyer can use to support your claim and convince the insurance company to give you the right settlement amount for your personal injury.
- Don’t Accept The First Offer
Typically, offering a very low amount is believed to be a standard practice for insurance companies to determine if you understand your claim and what it’s worth. Yet one of the secrets to receiving a proper settlement for your personal injury is to not accept the initial offer.
When the insurance service provider makes the offer, hire a legal expert on personal injury cases to help you check whether it’s just and reasonable or too low. If it’s unfavorable from what you expect, then making a counter-offer can be a perfect idea to start the bargaining process. This can also show the insurance company that you understand what your claim is all about and that you’re willing to compromise.
But to become successful with your negotiations, you can emphasize the strong points of your claim until both parties can get to a final settlement amount that’s deemed fair and equitable.
- Know The Extent Of Injuries And Related Damages
As an injured victim, you need to be aware of the damages you’ve suffered for you to have an idea of whether the settlement offer is way lower than what you deserve. That’s why before dealing directly with the insurance service provider, it can be an excellent idea to do some research first.
Leading injury lawyers in Colorado point out that you need to ensure that you have the right documentation with you on all times. This means that everything from the records of the policemen at the scene of the accident to the medical records, tests and bills need to be documented to spell out the exact nature of your sufferings and financial expenditures.
Talk to your lawyer to help you determine the extent of damages you’ve incurred as a result of the accident. They can assess the circumstances of your case, including the severity of your injury, the impact of what happened, and many more.
The more you’re aware of your case’s specifics, the more you can protect your rights against a low settlement offer in the event that you have a specific settlement amount in mind. Moreover, although the damages can vary depending on the type of accident, common ones can include:
- Patient medical bills;
- Lost wages and earning capacity;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress; and
- Loss of enjoyment and many more.
Takeaway
Indeed, the process of officially filing a settlement claim can be daunting to many people. There are many things to take into account to ensure a positive outcome. However, by keeping in mind the abovementioned tips to obtaining a proper settlement, you can maximize your financial and physical recovery and get your normal life back as quickly as possible.