When you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’re going to need compensation to get back on your feet, recover your health, and obtain a sense of accountability and justice. But the driver who caused your wreck isn’t simply going to fork over the cash that you want. Instead, you’re going to have to deal with their insurance company, perhaps even through the legal arena.
As you work to negotiate resolution to your personal injury case, there’s a good chance that the insurance company is going to approach you with a settlement offer. While that promise of closure can be exciting, keep in mind that the insurance company isn’t looking out for your best interests. They’re simply trying to get out of your case by paying as little possible. So, what should you do when the insurance company gives you a lowball settlement offer?
How to respond to an inadequate car accident settlement offer
Some people are eager to settle their car accident case and are at risk of snatching up a low settlement offer. Others are so ready to fight for what they deserve that they aggressively brush off the offer in a way that shuts negotiations down. Neither way is going to get you what you want, which is why you might want to consider doing the following when the insurance company makes you a lowball offer:
- Keep a professional tone: The settlement negotiation process carries a lot of frustrations with it. But regardless of how upset you are with the initial offer, you’re better off keeping your cool. Blowing up at the insurance company could shut them down and force your case to trial, which could lead to increased costs, stress, and a missed opportunity to negotiate for what you want and deserve.
- Question the offer: The lowball offer pushed your way is probably going to be a little confusing. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to understand why the offer is so low. This might give you some direction as you try to negotiate for a higher settlement amount.
- Refer to the evidence: Once you hear the insurance company’s justification for their low offer, you can turn to the evidence to articulate why the offer is insufficient and why you should be paid more. Be sure to point to specific pieces of evidence that support your position.
- Reduce your response to writing: You don’t want to mince your words during the settlement negotiation process. So, if you’re rejecting an initial offer and are requesting additional compensation, put it in writing so that you can easily refer back to it if you need to in the midst of litigation.
- Stand your ground: The insurance company might try to bully you into a settlement that you don’t want. You need to stand firm in your position, so long as it’s supported by the evidence, if you want to recover the compensation that you deserve.
Get the most out of your car accident personal injury case
You only get one shot to recover as much as you can from your personal injury case. That’s why you need to build an aggressive claim that speaks to the legal elements in play and targets the damages you hope to obtain. By doing so, you’ll hopefully secure accountability and a resolution that positions you for a successful physical, emotional, and financial recovery. Are you ready to fight to protect your future?