How to Get the Best Settlement in an Injury Claim
Personal injury claims are not easy to handle. This lawsuit could be significantly lengthy, costly, and emotionally draining. Yet, these personal injury settlements will ensure that you get back to your feet much sooner. An auto accident lawyer will help you in the negotiation process, ensuring that you get the best deal in the long run. However, you must have a few tips to help you in the process. They include the following.
Know What You Are Worth
Auto accidents will often expose you to damage, from property loss and damage to injuries and fatalities. Mental anguish, lower quality of life, and financial loss could also happen. All these damages need proper compensation. However, you must understand how much each of these damages is worth.
A professional will help calculate the cost of the damage suffered. This lawyer will rely on various methods to determine the cost of the damages. There are two common approaches: the multiplier and the per diem approaches. These methods suffice when determining the cost of your pain, suffering, and mental anguish.
Further, you will need to include the financial implications suffered. Medical bills, auto repair costs, burial expenses, and lost income will count. Add all these factors and have a specific figure in mind. Let it be the minimum you expect from the settlement process.
The First Offer Is Not the Best
Some companies might offer you exceptional offers in the first instance. Their willingness to settle the matter with a considerable amount or instantly might convince you to take the offer. Yet, this will not be the best move. Take the time to study the figure and understand its financial implications before settling.
Excellent negotiation skills could get you a better deal in the long run. As long as you are confident with the collected evidence, it should be easy to get a more favorable outcome. Let the lawyer handle this negotiation process, ensuring that you get a more significant settlement in the long run.
At the same time, pester the adjuster to justify their low offer in case of one. Most insurance companies will intentionally pull this stunt to know whether you understand your worth. Unless you negotiate for a better deal, you’ll lose out.
Emphasize Your Emotional Points
Surprisingly, your can use your emotions to get the best deal. Mentioning these emotional points could get the adjuster to give you a better deal. However, be careful not to overdo it, as it could compromise the entire process.
For instance, you could mention that your injuries affect your ability to handle something, including taking care of your children. If these injuries have made you lose your esteem, you could mention them. An emphasis on your emotional and mental health after the accident should convince the adjuster to relook at the offer.
At the same time, emphasize your injuries. Let the adjuster know that these injuries are taking a significant toll on you. In such instances, you will have to stress how severe the injuries are and why they have changed your life. However, please do not give them your medical records.
Have Enough Evidence
Sufficient evidence will get you a better deal. That means you’ll need to conduct a comprehensive investigation, getting all the evidence required to back up your claim. This evidence could be in images, videos, and witness statements. The lawyer could also get expert witnesses to corroborate your evidence.
In conclusion, aim at a settlement that matches the damage you have suffered. The tips mentioned above will help you get started. However, feel free to personalize the entire experience in the long run.
