The key to securing a reasonable settlement for your personal injury is knowing how to negotiate with the insurance company. Although you should be able to prove that you have a valid claim, the insurance company may try to pay you as little as possible. Often, it is more challenging than you might have imagined getting them to pay you the full amount of your claim.
You may try to negotiate directly with your own insurance company after a personal injury if your claim is with your own insurance carrier. If you don’t have a personal injury lawyer by your side, navigating these intricate conversations can be challenging. When negotiating with your own insurer, here are some things to keep in mind and the pitfalls to avoid.
People Often try to Negotiate their Insurance Claims on their Own. Why do They do this?
A car accident victim may attempt to go it alone for a number of reasons. It’s natural to wish for the insurance company to be trustworthy and fair. Despite the fact that this should be the case, many accident victims are startled and saddened to realize that the insurance company is not always looking out for their best interests.
Others may assume that working without an attorney will allow them to maximize their recovery. Working with an attorney is crucial to increasing the value of your case in all but a few cases with modest injuries and evident blame.
Taking the Initiative Alone has its Drawbacks
When you try to deal with the insurance company on your own, there are a few things to be careful of:
- You May Not Know What Damages You Can Claim
Car accident damages in Los Angeles are fairly varied. You might be eligible to make a claim for a wide range of losses. Your vehicle damage and medical expenditures are only two examples of the types of losses you may be able to file a claim for.
You might not know what losses to disclose when negotiating with your own insurer following a personal injury. You can’t rely on the insurance company to tell you that you’re not getting paid. An injury lawyer can assist you in ensuring that you receive all of the damages that you are entitled to.
- Demonstrating Fault can be Tricky
It may not be enough to merely notify your insurance company that you’ve been in an accident, depending on the circumstances of your policy. It’s possible that you’ll have to prove that the accident wasn’t your fault.
Using your own statement, witnesses, photographs, the location of car damage, and a copy of the police report, you may be able to show how the accident took place. It can be difficult to get a fair settlement with the insurance company if you forget that you need to demonstrate fault or don’t know how to do so.
- There are Admissions You can Make that could Hurt You
Making admissions is when you speak directly with the insurance company. If your case goes to court, they can use whatever you say against you. You might not even be aware of how anything you say can backfire on you. When you represent yourself, the insurance company may pressure you to say things that are adverse to your case.
The insurance company is unlikely to be on your side. Instead, they’re scrutinizing you and your case to see if there’s any way to avoid paying you fairly. When you hire an attorney, they will handle all of your interactions with the insurance provider. You won’t have to be concerned about making pricey confessions that could jeopardize your case.
- An Agent’s Unreasonable Behavior can make a Person Angry
As an advocate for yourself, you face the danger of presenting your case as a personal one. A person might be angry if the insurance agent is unfair or unreasonable. It isn’t always the best move to get upset in a case like this. Legal professionals know to ignore the tactics of the insurance agent. Legal professionals can work towards a fair resolution while ignoring the tactics of the insurance agent.
- Providing More than Needed Information
You are required to provide the insurance company with as much information as they need in order to process the claim. You may be asked for more information by the insurance company in order to use it against you later. Offering enough information can be tricky, but too much can be overwhelming.
Reviewing Your Insurance Policy
At the end of the day, an insurance policy is a contract. The best course of action is determined by the specific provisions of your policy. When you work alone, it can be difficult to understand your insurance contract’s rights and obligations.
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When you engage with a seasoned attorney, you gain access to a staff that has evaluated hundreds of policies and successfully pursued hundreds of claims.
Do not Assume a Response is Definitive
You might be tempted to accept the first offer when pursuing a claim on your own. There is a possibility that the insurance company will say the answer is final, but further negotiation may be warranted.
Obviously, you should not accept the first offer that comes your way. Additionally, you shouldn’t assume that the insurance company won’t be able to match your current offer.
An Attorney can make a Difference to the Outcome
Siman Law Firm can ensure that you not only avoid the pitfalls but also maximize your claim when you work with an experienced injury attorney. With the assistance of a legal team, you can determine an appropriate value for your claim. An expert’s opinion on the value of your case can offer you valuable insight into how to approach your case so that you can maximize the amount of settlement that you receive.
Insurers use a variety of tactics to minimize claims, which your legal team is familiar with. You can present all of the information needed to bring your claim directly to the insurance company without revealing anything that could harm your case.