Negotiations with an insurance adjuster can be difficult for car accident victims. To prepare themselves, victims should learn what to expect from the process and how to get the settlement amount they deserve from an insurance company.
Car accident victims shouldn’t expect negotiations with an insurance adjuster to be simple. Generally, adjusters aren’t willing to offer the settlement amount that victims deserve after a car accident. That being said, there are some tactics victims can employ to make the process easier. For example, it’s important to keep any records regarding your car accident and know how to put forth appropriate counteroffers. Victims should be sure to speak carefully during settlement negotiations and be patient throughout the process. Hiring a car accident lawyer can quicken negotiations with an insurance adjuster and result in a sufficient settlement. If negotiations prove futile, your attorney will know how to proceed so that you get the compensatory damages you deserve after a car accident.
What to Expect During Car Accident Settlement Negotiations with an Insurance Adjuster
When car accident victims choose to file an insurance claim instead of filing a lawsuit against a negligent party, they may believe they’ve taken the simpler route. In reality, negotiating with an insurance adjuster can be a long, taxing process, especially when victims don’t have a dedicated attorney by their side.
Expect to receive a low settlement offer at the onset of negotiations with an insurance adjuster. Generally, this is an insurance adjuster’s first move. They do this hoping that injured victims will accept a low-ball settlement amount right away. If you’ve hired an attorney, your car accident lawyer will be able to identify a low settlement offer from an insurance adjuster and promptly begin negotiations.
Generally, the entire negotiation process consists of counteroffer after counteroffer. Your attorney will respond to a low-ball settlement offer with a number that more accurately reflects the cost of your injuries. Your lawyer will also compile evidence proving your need for compensation and a negligent driver’s fault.
Even if you’ve filed a claim with your own insurance and not a negligent driver’s, don’t expect that the process will be any simpler and that you can easily negotiate a settlement amount without legal representation. Insurance companies are often reluctant to offer an adequate settlement amount, even to their own policyholders.
Tips for Negotiating with an Insurance Adjuster After a Car Accident
After a car accident, negotiating with an insurance adjuster can be overwhelming for injured victims. Insurance companies attempt to make this process draining in the hope that an injured victim in need of compensation will accept a low-ball settlement offer. If you’re about to enter into settlement negotiations with an insurance adjuster, you should keep a few things in mind.
Keep Records
During settlement negotiations with an insurance adjuster, keep all records. In fact, it can benefit you throughout these negotiations if you’ve kept any previous records or documents regarding your car accident. That includes things like police reports and medical records, as well as documentation of any lost wages. Be sure to keep any correspondence with an insurance adjuster from the day you filed a claim onward. Your car accident attorney can help you keep careful records throughout the process, helping negotiations go smoothly.
Calculate Counteroffers
One of the most crucial aspects of negotiating with an insurance adjuster after a car accident is making counteroffers. When injured victims file a claim against a negligent driver’s insurance, they may expect to recover the maximum amount that a policy offers in case of an accident. Unfortunately, it is rare for insurance adjusters to offer the highest compensation amount right away. During negotiations with an insurance adjuster, your car accident attorney can calculate appropriate counteroffers and support them with the available evidence.
Speak Carefully
Settlement negotiations with an insurance adjuster can be challenging for injured car accident victims. Victims generally require fast access to compensatory damages, and the long negotiation process can become frustrating. Insurance adjusters may ask leading questions or attempt to provoke an emotional outburst in the hope that an injured victim will misspeak. In some cases, a victim misspeaking during negotiations can allow an insurance adjuster to deny a claim. It is important for car accident victims to speak carefully during negotiations to avoid such an outcome.
Hire an Attorney
When victims enter into settlement negotiations with an insurance adjuster independently, they may be less likely to recover the compensatory damages they deserve. An experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate negotiations so that there are no missteps or hurdles to your settlement. Even if you’ve filed an insurance claim with your carrier, it is important to hire an attorney. It is generally unwise for injured car accident victims to negotiate with an insurance adjuster without a lawyer by their side.
Insurance settlements take time. Although injured victims understandably want and deserve fast access to compensatory damages, it is important to be patient. If you have a skilled attorney, your negotiations with an insurance adjuster will likely be successful. So, remain calm and trust your lawyer.
Does Negotiating with an Insurance Adjuster After a Car Accident Guarantee Damages?
While car accident victims may believe that they will always recover compensatory damages if they file an insurance claim, that’s not necessarily true. When negotiations with an insurance adjuster prove futile, it’s important to know your other options.
Unfortunately, not all insurance settlement negotiations are successful. Insurance adjusters can be stubborn and generally unwilling to put forth a settlement offer that reflects a car accident victim’s needs. If negotiations aren’t progressing, it’s important to know when to move on.
Don’t accept a settlement offer from an insurance adjuster that’s less than what you deserve. If you do, you may lose your right to file a lawsuit against a negligent drive. Suppose negotiations with an insurance adjuster are unsuccessful. In that case, your attorney can help you file a car accident lawsuit for compensatory damages.