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Tips for Getting the Best Personal Injury Settlement

Personal Injury Settlement

If you have been injured and it wasn’t your fault and the effects of the injury are having a profound effect on your life you should be serious about getting the best personal injury settlement you can. It is you that has to live with the injury so to make your life as comfortable as possible you should consider the points below before agreeing to a settlement amount. It might be the insurer of the person who caused your injury who is responsible for paying you a personal injury settlement amount so you should ensure you get the amount that matches the financial loss caused by the injury.

  1. Have an amount at your fingertips

Before agreeing to anything with the insurer you should try to calculate what you believe your claim is worth. This will be your bottom line before any negotiations begin. You may decide the insurer’s offer is quite reasonable and just accept because it is close to what you calculated. Something about the effects of your injury may be revealed to you and you believe the amount offered to you is far too little.

  1. Don’t go for the first offer

It is quite typical for an insurer to offer far less than your claim is worth. Don’t just accept it as this is the only chance you have to get some financial compensation to help you deal with the effects of your injury. Turn it down and start negotiating as after a bit more bargaining you should quickly get a settlement amount that you will both accept. This is the time to remind the insurer that his client is the one that caused the injury and it wasn’t your fault

  1. Question the insurer if the offer is low

If the insurer comes up with a low amount for the settlement don’t think you have to settle for this. Ask the adjuster why the amount is so small. Anything that is said you should record in writing and question the adjuster on each reason given to justify such a low amount. This should be done in writing so you have your response at your fingertips. The hope now is that the adjuster will offer a bit more.

  1. Emphasize the severity of your injury

When negotiating, remind the adjuster how serious your injury is and the enormous impact it is having on your life. Provide photos of your injury and explain how much it is affecting your ability to look after your family in the same way as before the accident.

  1. Wait for the adjuster to respond to you

Don’t reduce the amount you are prepared to take until you are absolutely sure the adjuster isn’t going to offer you a higher amount. If in the end, you think the final offer is too low you will need to exert more pressure to get it increased.

  1. The settlement should be finalized in writing

When an amount has been finally agreed between you and the insurer, immediately confirm the amount and follow up by agreeing to it in writing.  It doesn’t need to be a long letter but just short and to the point.

  1. Talk to an attorney

If your injury is life-changing and the financial effect exceeds a few thousand dollars you should consider getting help from a personal injury attorney. The attorney can help to negotiate such costs as loss in future income and the long-term ongoing costs of medical treatment.

Call the Diaz Law Firm for an appointment to discuss a personal injury claim

The Diaz Law Firm can help you with any legal matters relating to personal injury compensation. Please contact the Diaz Law Firm online for an appointment or call us at 601-607-3456 or toll-free at 800-459-2222.