new bedford car accident lawyerThe aftermath of a car accident can be difficult to deal with especially if you sustained injuries. It’s especially critical that you avoid making costly mistakes if you want to get maximum compensation.

Insurance companies will do their best to avoid making large payouts and you aren’t an exception. The good news is that you can negotiate your own car settlement claim if your injuries aren’t permanent or severe. However, if you suffered permanent or severe injuries, you should hire a New Bedford car accident lawyer who will evaluate your case and get you the compensation that you deserve.

You deserve a car accident settlement that will take into account all of your injuries and other losses that you incurred. Below are some tips that you can use to negotiate a fair car accident settlement with an insurer.

Determine How Much Your Case is Worth

You should have a minimum settlement amount that you will accept. This information should help guide you during negotiations and you shouldn’t reveal this figure to the insurer. You should, however, adjust the figure accordingly because the adjuster might point out facts that you hadn’t considered. If the adjuster makes an initial offer that is close to the minimum amount you would accept, you should consider negotiating for a higher amount.

If you receive a reservation of rights letter from the insurance company, don’t be alarmed. The letter is meant to inform you that they are investigating your claim and they reserve the right to deny your claim should they find out that your accident isn’t covered under their policy.

Initiate Your Car Accident Claim as Soon as Possible

Always inform your insurance company about your accident as soon as possible. Most people avoid reporting minor car accidents because:

  • They assume their premium will increase
  • They assume they can work things out with the other driver without involving the insurance companies.

If you check your policy, it requires you to report each car accident you get into regardless of how minor you think it was. If you delay or don’t report an accident, the insurer will assume that your injuries were not severe or that you’re trying to commit fraud. These are grounds for the insurer to deny your claim.

Keep in mind that reporting an accident and filing a claim are two different things. You can file a claim with your own insurance or a third-party claim (the other driver’s insurer). A third-party claim usually takes longer to process. The other insurance company might also have their own version of how the accident happened so you should be ready to prove fault in your accident.

Below are the steps you should follow when filing your car accident claim:

  • Gather all the evidence that you need. Find out how a police report, witness statements and photos, and videos can help your case.
  • Report the car accident to your insurer
  • Write a notification letter stating your intent to file a car accident claim.
  • Cooperate with the insurance company as they investigate your claim

Don’t Jump at the First Offer

Insurance companies make very low initial offers just to see if the claimant knows what they are doing. The offer might also be reasonable but it’s too low. The best approach in both scenarios is to make a counteroffer that slightly lower than the one you stated in your demand letter. This shows the adjuster that you are also reasonable and you can compromise.

Use the Facts of the Car Accident to Your Advantage

Do not waste time with the insurance adjuster going over facts that can easily be disputed. Below are some points that might work in your favor:

  • Your type of injury and how it will affect your life moving forward
  • The amount you spent treating your injuries and how it affected your finances. Don’t forget to point out any lifelong medical care you will require in the future.
  • How much time you missed from work and how much you lost in wages as a result.
  • Future lost wages if you will not be able to return to the same job

Know When to Hire a New Bedford Car Accident Lawyer

If the insurance company denied your offer, is acting in bad faith, or is lowballing you, it’s time for you to hire a car accident lawyer in New Bedford. An experienced attorney will evaluate your case and determine whether they might have to file a car accident lawsuit to get you the compensation that you deserve.

At Kevin P Landry Law Offices, we will evaluate your case free of charge. Call us today at 508-999-0800 to schedule your free initial consultation.