In fact, it means you're ready to demand the compensation you deserve for your sufferings and losses. If you are determined to seek fair compensation for your losses, you should be prepared to negotiate with the insurance company (or, more specifically, the claims adjuster) to get what you want. When to consider self-representationImportant First Steps & TipsEstimating Your Damages Sending Your Demand Letter Countering and Accepting a Settlement. If the initial offer is below estimates, you will have to enter into negotiations with the insurance company.
Does that mean a lawsuit? Not necessarily. Both parties should avoid the cost of continuing the litigation. When the insurance adjuster makes an initial offer, it will most likely be too low. A first offer that is excessively low could be a tactic by the insurance company to see if you know what your claim is really worth.
Ask the insurance adjuster to justify your low offer and give you the specific reasons why your claim is so low. Answer each of the points you make in a response letter explaining why you cannot accept the offer. Don't propose a lower figure, wait until you see if the insurance company will increase its offer. And in cases where your injuries are relatively minor and the other party's fault is fairly clear, it may be cheaper to negotiate your own personal injury settlement, rather than hand over one-third of your award to an attorney (which is common practice in personal injury attorney fee agreements).
If you can't reach a fair settlement agreement after negotiating with an insurance company, you may need to hire a car accident lawyer. Even if you've never negotiated with an insurance company before, it's possible to get a car accident settlement that takes into account all your injuries, the pain and suffering you suffered, and other losses, such as damage to your car and unearned wages. If you can't determine a fair insurance agreement, a board-certified car accident lawyer can help. The following tips below will put you on the right path to negotiating a fair car insurance agreement with the insurance company after a car accident.
If the prospect of negotiating with your insurance company or that of the other driver is overwhelming, or if an insurance company has refused to pay you a fair settlement, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you navigate the process of negotiating and settling claims.
