5 Tips to Avoid a Lowball Personal Injury Settlement Offer
Your personal injury settlement needs to take care of more than just the initial medical costs you have to pay out of pocket. There are always losses in income, emotional distress, and future medical treatment following an accident.
Insurance companies usually want to resolve claims as quickly as possible for the least amount of money. This can leave you on the hook financially after your case is resolved. Here are five things to do to protect your claim and prevent you from getting a lowball personal injury settlement offer.
Get Medical Treatment Promptly
If you delay in obtaining treatment after an accident, the insurance adjuster may claim you do not have severe injuries. The adjuster can also say that your current injuries were caused by something else entirely.
Your medical records are invaluable when settling your personal injury case. These documents establish the existence of and nature of the injury. Adhere strictly to doctors’ instructions and show up to all of your appointments.
Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
An experienced personal injury attorney knows the ins and outs of how an insurance adjuster will handle your claim and how to negotiate with an adjuster properly. Having legal counsel can help even the playing field. A lawyer can determine the full value of your damages and can deal with the adjuster so you can focus on getting better.
Most law firms strive to build a strong client-attorney relationship since every case involves actual economic and emotional hardship. The law office of Colby Lewis, for instance, recognizes the importance of each personal injury case by prioritizing and delivering individual attention. An attorney who is willing to make time to learn about your situation will advocate most effectively on your behalf.
Don’t Accept the First Settlement Offer
Insurance companies usually make an initial offer that is substantially less than what your case is worth. This is to ensure that they can resolve your claim as quickly as possible and for the smallest amount of money. Some claimants feel the pressure to accept such an offer because of the mounting medical bills and lost income they will have to face.
Take your time and analyze every detail of your damage before committing to anything. The future of your medical care and rehabilitation must be addressed along with lost wages, emotional distress, and the long-term consequences of your injuries. A just settlement is one that will compensate both current and future losses.
Gather Solid Evidence for Your Claim
The better evidence you have supporting your case, the harder it will be for the adjuster to lowball you. You have to begin to compile and create evidence of your claim as soon as possible after the accident. Photos of the accident, your vehicle, and injuries, the weather, witness, and police reports, all can be beneficial to your case.
Keep photocopies and file each document that has anything to do with your claim, from medical bills, reports, records of treatment, and repair estimates to proof of lost wages. Keeping a daily journal will help to document the extent of your pain and suffering as well as the physical and emotional toll that your injuries took.
Be Cautious When Speaking with Insurance Adjusters
Even though the insurance adjuster may appear to be polite and caring in phone conversations, most questions asked are designed to elicit statements that the insurance company may be able to use to their advantage. A small remark like saying you are doing better and that you have resumed your regular activities can later be used as grounds to reduce your settlement.
Never speak with an insurance adjuster about whose fault the accident was, and don’t minimize the extent of your injuries. In addition, don’t give recorded statements over the phone without the advice of an attorney, and avoid sharing your daily activities on social media.
Endnote
Preparation, patience, and proper documentation are the ways to prevent an unfair lowball settlement from happening. Every step taken after a car accident is important in getting the money you deserve. A settlement should provide for your recovery and future financial security.
