Tips On How To Get The Best Personal Injury Settlement
If you plan on filing a personal injury claim, you want to do everything in your power to ensure you get the best possible settlement. This settlement also determines your ability to make a full recovery; medical bills and damages considered. The actions you take immediately after your injury are crucial; that is why it would be best to consult injury law lawyers as soon as possible to help you make the most out of your claim. Below are 10 ways to maximize your personal injury settlement.
WHAT IS A PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT?
A personal injury settlement occurs when the defendant agrees to pay the plaintiff some amount of money to drop the case. It’s important to note that most personal injury cases do not end with a jury verdict. In fact, some settle even before the filing of a lawsuit.
Both parties must determine how much they think the case is worth. Insurance adjusters and personal injury attorneys use their experience and precedent set by previous jury awards before considering the unique aspects of your present case. Once a reasonable rough estimate has been established, the parties start sending demand letters and settlement offers to each other until an acceptable offer is made.
Thereafter, both plaintiff and defendant sign a settlement agreement and you as the plaintiff must sign a release relinquishing all rights to pursue any legal remedy concerning the accident in question.
TIPS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT
It is crucial to note that the only friend you have in a personal injury matter is your attorney alone. The insurance adjuster or representative from the opposing party may appear sympathetic to your situation but they are almost certainly looking for ways to get you to settle for less. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your personal injury settlement:
- Get Medical Attention
The best personal injury settlement includes a pair payment for your injuries and any other losses you might have incurred. For this to happen, you need proper, accurate documentation of your damages, not just word of mouth. You will need a qualified doctor or physician to document your injuries, offer a diagnosis, and prescribe a treatment plan to help you recover. Such documentation also encourages the other party to negotiate and offer a more worthwhile settlement.
Do not overlook getting medical treatment, even if you think you got away with a scratch or insignificant injuries. Carefully follow the treatment plan offered by your doctor, including professional counseling for Post -Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and flashbacks and physical therapy if necessary. All these will play a huge part in the settlement offer you get from the party at fault.
- Have A Specific Value For Your Claim
Your personal injury settlement demand letter must comprise what you feel is the most reasonable value for your claim. It is best to decide on a minimum amount even before you discuss your demand with an insurance adjuster. You do not have to disclose this number to anyone and it will help you maintain a bottom line amidst the offers and counter-offers that will follow. However, you must remember that this amount can change, especially in the light of new information you hadn’t considered beforehand. If you have any trouble evaluating the damage categories pertaining to your case, you can consult a local experienced attorney.
- Don’t Jump At The First Offer
Almost all insurance adjusters kick start negotiations with a very low amount. This is usually in hopes that the money will excite you enough to take it, blocking you from pursuing a better settlement down the line. If you do not understand how much your claim is worth or you’re too impatient to let the process run its course, you may fall prey to this tactic.
How you respond to the first offer must depend on these two factors:
1.Is the offer so low that it’s obviously a tactic to gauge your knowledgeability?
2.Is the offer too low but somewhat reasonable?
If the offer is reasonable but still low, you can respond with a counteroffer that is lower than the amount in your demand letter but slightly higher than their offer. That will show the other party’s insurance adjuster that you understand what you’re doing and are willing to compromise. This way, you should have shorter negotiations and a final settlement amount in no time. Remember, you don’t have to state all the facts of your case again. Just point out your strongest points such as that the other party was undeniably at fault.
- Ask The Insurance Adjuster To Justify The Low Offer
Insurance adjusters are in the habit of making insanely low offers at the start of negotiations, a tactic to see if you know the value of your claim. Instead of ranting about how unfair they are, you could try asking them to justify that amount. Take notes during the conversation and write a letter addressing each of the factors they raised. You can lower your demand if you feel that the adjuster’s reasons are well-justified. However, we recommend waiting to see if they bump their offer before making any changes.
When you speak to the insurance adjuster next, ask for a response to your reply before going any further. This should prompt them to make a more reasonable offer that could lead to an acceptable final settlement amount.
- Emotional Points Are An Invaluable Asset
Refer to the appearance of your injury, details of the scene of the injury, and any other facts that directly convey your emotional state. Although it is impossible to put a monetary value on such factors, they can prove helpful in prompting an insurance company to get you a fairer settlement amount.
- Put It in Writing
Once you and the adjuster have agreed on a number, write them a letter confirming the agreement. It doesn’t have to be a long letter, as long as it features all relevant details to your agreement. You can visit https://halelaw.com/ for more information on personal injury settlements.
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Sarasota FL 34237
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