Personal injury claims are resolved through either an out-of-court settlement negotiation or a lawsuit. Often, the former is preferred, as it’s quicker and less arduous. The process of negotiating the settlement, however, is the most important.
Seattle, the biggest city in Washington, is famous for its tech industry and is home to giants like Amazon and Microsoft. It has thousands of acres of parks and is close to the Pacific. A Seattle personal injury attorney can assist you if you injure yourself here, as it’s recommended to file a claim to cover the cost of treating your injuries.
Let’s get into why you shouldn’t accept the first offer you get.
Initial offer too low
Insurance companies are the ones that foot the bill for an accident, whether it’s your insurance company or that of the person at fault. So, negotiations will take place with an insurance company agent to decide on the payout. These companies will try to minimize the payout to reduce their costs and will initially offer a low settlement.
That’s why it’s important not to accept the first offer that they give you.
Doesn’t consider the full extent of your injuries
Insurance companies may also give you the first offer pretty quickly when you haven’t had the chance to assess the damages. That’s another reason why you shouldn’t accept the first offer you get. It takes time to get medical treatment and find experts to assess the cost of damages, like the cost to repair your car and other property that was damaged in the accident. You should take the time to get these assessments done before you accept a settlement to ensure that the payout covers all the expenses.
Legal expertise is crucial
Finally, you shouldn’t accept an offer without the presence of legal counsel. Lawyers will know the ins and outs of the law and how to negotiate with insurance agents. So, they can guide you effectively on the best offer to accept and how to handle conversations with an insurance agent.
Insurance companies are also known to use tactics to get victims to admit fault for an accident so they can deny a payout or reduce the settlement. Letting a lawyer handle the interactions will prevent this from happening. It may take some time for you to find a lawyer, and the insurance company may give you the first offer before then, which is why you shouldn’t accept it.
Tips to negotiate with insurance providers
Here are a few tips you should follow when negotiating with insurance providers:
- Don’t admit fault for the accident.
- Always be polite and respectful when dealing with the insurance agent.
- Don’t agree to anything without consulting your lawyer first.
- Keep a record of all your conversations with the insurance provider.
Conclusion
While most personal injury cases are settled out of court, it is important that you get a fair amount for your injuries. Most insurance agents will offer a low initial settlement and may pressure you into accepting it, and it’s important that you don’t do so.
Having your case investigated properly and knowing the full cost of damages will help you get a better settlement. Hiring a lawyer is best, as they typically handle negotiations with insurance providers and ensure that no bad faith practices are followed.