- June 5, 2020
If you got into a car accident that was not your fault, getting full compensation should be easy. You did nothing wrong so the at-fault driver’s insurance company should simply pay up. Unfortunately, many people who suffer losses as a result of an accident find that the insurer makes an offer that doesn’t even scratch the surface. That’s because insurance companies are in business to make a profit and they won’t pay out any more than they have to.
Many victims accept the offer since they figure that some money is better than no money at all. However, if you hire a South Carolina auto accident attorney, they will negotiate on your behalf so that you get fair compensation. If negotiations don’t result in a settlement, they may advise you to take the case to court. The more your case is worth, the harder you may have to fight. However, you don’t have to do it alone.
What Should Happen When You File an Insurance Claim
After you get into a car accident in Greenville, you’ll likely exchange insurance and contact details with the other driver. This is so you can file a claim for injuries, property damage, and other losses with their insurer. You may call the police, see a doctor, gather all accident-related documents, and do everything else that you’re supposed to. Then, you may assume that the insurance company will pay you everything you deserve. However, this won’t happen straight off the bat. Arriving at a settlement is supposed to be a negotiation. You’re not obligated to accept the first offer or any offer. Regardless of what the insurance adjuster says, you can ask for more if you believe an offer is inadequate.
If you get a low offer and you don’t yet have a Greenville car accident lawyer, you need to contact one as soon as possible. Your attorney will ensure that you’ve calculated all your current and future losses correctly. This includes both economic and non-economic damages. Lawyers are likely to consider factors that you never thought of when seeking compensation for your accident-related losses. They will, therefore, be in a position to counter the offer made by the insurer and show why you deserve the amount you’re claiming.
Things to Consider During Negotiations
If your injuries are serious and your car was totaled, your losses could be quite high. You may have to accept that you won’t recover as much as you’re asking for. If your damages exceed the driver’s policy limit, the insurer will not pay more. Your attorney will seek to find out how much coverage the driver has. That way, you’ll have a realistic idea of the maximum amount you can recover. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to recover more by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Once you know the upper limit of the policy, you need to give some thought to the minimum amount you’re willing to accept. Your attorney will advise you as to the amount you should not go below.
If you’re rejecting a settlement amount, you should do so in writing. Your attorney will respond to each point that was made in the offer and make a counteroffer. If the insurer accused you of being partly at-fault for the crash and you weren’t, you should also address this.
In most cases, the two parties reach an agreement at some point. The process may involve lots of back and forth, but your attorney will handle the communication. If the process goes on for too long, you need to decide whether you want to go to court to seek fair compensation. Even if you file a lawsuit, it doesn’t mean the case will go to trial. Settlement negotiations can continue even while the lawsuit is in progress.
Reach Out to Hernandez & Cabra Today to Get the Representation You Need
It can be very difficult to deal with an insurance company after an accident. That’s why it’s best to promptly call a South Carolina car accident attorney. At Hernandez & Cabra, we investigate the case and help you to accurately quantify your damages. We’ll then negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure you get a fair outcome. If you’re not convinced that you need to hire a lawyer, contact us to schedule a free case review. If you decide to hire us, you don’t have to pay until you get the compensation you deserve.
