Personal Injury Lawyer Offers Advice for Successful Claim Negotiation

People who want to claim compensation for damage and losses they incurred will find that talking to the insurance company is no walk in the park. Insurance companies and adjusters alike would do anything to get you to settle for an amount lower than you deserve. The negotiation process is often a long ordeal and many people would settle early just to get it over with. Fortunately, a personal injury lawyer in Raleigh or anywhere else can handle the negotiation for you so you can just focus on getting better. Here are some helpful tips for working with your attorney.

Cooperate with your lawyer.

You may be eager to get better, but you still have to give your lawyer all the help you can provide. Cooperating with your attorney is the best way to figure out the right settlement amount to start with early so. Supply whatever records are needed, and answer any question your lawyer may ask you. Crucial documents include medical records, police reports about the accident, and other related paperwork. This way, you could receive compensation faster. Lawyers can negotiate on your behalf and make sure that your documents for negotiation are in order.

Let your lawyer take the lead.

Personal injury attorneys handle many negotiations over the course of their careers. This means that they have the know-how and experience to successfully get you the compensation you deserve. Trust your lawyer to make decisions with your best interests at heart.

Don’t settle for a low-ball offer.

Once you and your lawyer present the adjuster with a demand letter of your desired settlement amount, the latter will counter with an offer of his own. Often, this is lower than the claimant demanded. Any skilled Raleigh personal injury attorney would advise his client not to accept the low-ball offer and demand the adjuster to justify why the offer is so low. Many claimants actually make the mistake of settling right away without even so much as making a counteroffer.

Follow up on the claim.

The negotiation process consists of a whole lot of back-and-forth before both sides reach an agreement. It is your lawyer’s job to keep up correspondence with the adjuster so you don’t miss any counteroffers or requests for information. Your lawyer is also responsible for keeping you in the loop.

Negotiating with the insurance company and the adjuster might be very stressful but it pays to have someone like a personal injury attorney on your side. Firms like Kurtz & Blum, PLLC can help you with your case.

Sources:

  • How the Negotiation Process Works in an Injury Case, NOLO
  • Tips for Negotiating With an Insurance Company, NOLO
  • How to Negotiate a Personal Injury Settlement, All Law