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How to Handle the Insurance Offer After an Accident

Wherever you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and have sustained injuries, you probably will want to file for a personal injury claim.

While this process can be daunting, you will aim to get the compensation that can take care of your medical bills, suffering, and loss of wages, and more. Therefore, settling for an out-of-court negotiation may not be a bad idea after all. 

 

However, how do you go about negotiating with an insurance company? Keep in mind that once your injury lawyer, an Atlanta wrongful death lawyer, presents the insurance company with the demand letter and other relevant documents, the negotiation process will be relatively swift, and you shouldn’t be surprised if the negotiation process consists of nothing more than a negotiation process.

 

Therefore, the typical process always involves a formal written correspondence or an informal process where your lawyer will make your points about the strengths and weaknesses of your claim on your behalf. After that, the insurance adjuster will make an offer to settle your claim for an amount that is often lower than what you initially requested. Once you receive this response, you will counter the adjuster’s response with a higher but lower figure than your initial amount. After a few phone calls, you will be able to settle on a model that both of you will agree with.

 

Although this process might seem simple, there’s a lot that happens in between these negotiations. To come out of the talks with an ideal amount, you need to be well acquainted with handling an insurance offer. The tips below will guide you through the process. 

 

Do Not Befriend Insurance Adjusters

 

In cases where insurance companies agree to an out of court settlement, the adjusters will often appear to be friendly. However, always remember that you are negotiating to get compensated for your troubles and the adjusters are not your friends. Many adjusters still use this strategy to make you comfortable and trust them through the process.

 

By befriending the adjusters, you risk saying something that can inevitably damage your case and overall compensation. Remember that your insurance adjusters represent the company’s best interests, but not yours. This means that they are not concerned about your injuries, but rather the insurance company’s interests and are obligated to negotiate for the least possible amount. 

 

Handle Communications Promptly

 

Since this is an out of court settlement, prompt communication is an integral element in ensuring that you get the best deal out of the payment. The vast majority of insurance companies have policies that specify that you should report any injury claims within a stipulated period and submit all the relevant information within the specified deadline. These rules are strictly followed when you are filing for compensation, and any miscommunication can lead to no competition at all. 

 

Remember that failure to handle the necessary communications with the insurance company promptly may send a message that the claim is not essential to you. Therefore, whenever you are involved in an accident, have your injury attorney file for a lawsuit as well as an insurance claim before the statute of limitation expires. Failure to do so, your request will forever be barred, and you will not get any benefits. 

 

Negotiate in Good Faith

 

As mentioned above, once you file an offer with an insurance adjuster, the chances are that you will receive a reduced counter offer. In that case, you should be prepared to negotiate. Start by figuring out what you think is fair, based on your injuries or level of repairs needed on your vehicle. If the counteroffer is below what you expected, try your level best to keep a level head.

 

Finally

 

Whenever you’re in a motor vehicle accident, the insurance adjuster will often try different tactics to ensure that your claim is minimal. To ensure that you get the best deal out of a negotiation, keep in mind that the insurance adjuster is not your friend, and you should always negotiate in good faith. 

 

While these tips won’t cover you in all the circumstances, they will be enough to sail you through the process smoothly.

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