Settling a personal injury claim with an insurance company can be a stressful, confusing process. If you want your case to be valued accurately, these four tips could help.
Not everyone who files a personal injury claim gets a fair settlement. Some of the most common mistakes that could end up damaging your case are completely avoidable. Failing to do the following could jeopardize your settlement amount:
- Continue medical treatment until the doctor releases you.
- Focus on emotion.
- Get justification for any low offers.
- Keep an injury diary.
Before you begin corresponding with representatives of the insurance company, it’s important to understand how to help your case.
6 Things to Know When Settling a Personal Injury Claim with an Insurance Company
1. Continue getting medical treatment until the doctor releases you.
When you get hurt in a car accident, slip and fall, or another scenario that leaves you injured, it is absolutely critical that you continue medical care until your physician releases you from care.
Many people stop going to treatment when they begin to feel better. Making this mistake could cost you. Your doctor knows that complications often arise during treatment, so staying under their care for the full duration could increase the value of your case.
2. Focus on emotion throughout the process.
Being the victim of an accident is a traumatic experience, and you should emphasize the effect—both physical and emotional—that it has had on you. During negotiations, especially, be sure to emphasize the emotional points of your case.
Are there photographs of the severity of your injuries and damage to your property? Use them. Have your injuries prevented you from carrying out your responsibilities at work or at home? Emphasize the emotional impact of the accident on your life.
3. Get justification for a low offer.
In many cases, the insurance company’s initial offer is lower than it should be. This is a tactic that allows them to pay out less than the value of your injuries. If you get a lowball offer, make the insurance company justify it in writing.
Before settling a personal injury case with an insurance company, let us evaluate your case so you can get the best offer possible.
4. Keep a daily diary of your injuries.
Despite most injury cases settling out of court, it’s important to always be prepared to go to trial. One piece of evidence that you can use to demonstrate the effect of your injuries on your life is to write about your experience every day.
Give a detailed account of the type of pain you are feeling on each day. With this evidence, you can show the exact timeline of your recovery process.
Want to see if you have a case? Get your free case review from Pacin Levine, P.A.
Settling a personal injury claim with an insurance company requires the expertise of a seasoned personal injury attorney. Get peace of mind. Let the professionals at Pacin Levine, P.A. evaluate your case. Contact us to get started today.
Are you ready to pursue your case? Contact us today and set up an appointment to speak to an attorney. Call us at 1-800-24-7-CRASH or write to us at [email protected].
