SKIP TO CONTENTReceiving a subpar offer from the insurance company can be discouraging. You need enough funds to fully cover your medical bills and make up for the toll the crash has taken on your life. But can you negotiate a higher car accident settlement?
You can, and this is often a wise idea in consideration of certain factors. Let an experienced car crash attorney help you understand your potential payout and walk you through settlement negotiations.
Are Car Accident Settlements Negotiable?
Once you’ve filed your insurance claim, an adjuster will review the circumstances of the accident, calculate your damages, and determine a claim valuation. The offer depends on the policyholder’s coverage limits and the insurance adjuster’s assessment of the case value. But what if this offer is way off from the actual costs you’ve incurred?
Negotiating a car accident settlement offer from the insurer is possible, but you’ll need to follow a specific procedure. While the process may vary by insurance company, it typically involves preparing a counteroffer along with evidence of why the initial settlement was inadequate.
If you are dissatisfied with the insurer’s offer, you don’t have to accept it. But you’ll need to tread carefully to avoid losing your opportunity to negotiate a higher one.
Tips To Successfully Negotiate a Higher Settlement
If you want to negotiate a higher car accident settlement, the following tips could increase your likelihood of success:
- Hire legal representation. The adjuster will take you more seriously if you have an attorney on your side. Lawyers also know negotiation tactics that might improve your chances of success.
- Review the offer letter closely. If you find any erroneous statements in the offer letter, take note of them and point them out in the counteroffer.
- Gather additional evidence. If the adjuster presented an insufficient offer, they may not have enough evidence showing the true value of your claim. Gathering more medical documentation, photos of injuries and vehicle damage, witness testimonies, and other proof can back up the counteroffer.
- Be polite yet firm. Speaking aggressively or angrily toward the insurance adjuster won’t do much good, but you need to make your intentions to secure an adequate offer clear. Be polite yet firm in your communications. Alternatively, don’t be afraid to ask the attorney to speak with the adjuster on your behalf.
Settling an Accident vs. Going to Court
Submitting a counteroffer may prompt the insurance adjuster to provide a better payout, but it may also do nothing. If you can’t seem to negotiate a higher car accident settlement, you may need to threaten or take legal action against the insurance company.
Start by disputing the offer with the insurer by issuing a demand letter. Provide evidence showing why it is insufficient and invite another member of the insurance team to review it. They may assign a new adjuster to your case or override the existing adjuster’s decision.
If this doesn’t work, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit against the insurance company. This would invite a judge or jury to decide an appropriate payout. Insurance companies like to avoid going to court if at all possible, so the adjuster may agree to the counteroffer simply to avoid the hassle.
Let Us Help You Negotiate Your Accident Settlement
You have the right to seek adequate compensation after a serious car crash. At Bryan Garrett PLLC, we can help you negotiate a higher car accident settlement through strategic negotiation tactics and compelling evidence. Contact us today at (405) 725-2661 for a free initial consultation with our attorneys.
