You may have experienced multiple hardships if you recently suffered injuries in a car accident in Atlanta. Your physical and emotional recovery may have been the most difficult. Your focus should be on your recovery, and the last thing you want to be thinking about is an insurance claim and how your medical care will be paid for.
That’s where Atlanta car accident lawyers come in. You can make a significant impact on your ability to receive fair compensation following a motor vehicle accident by what you do in the aftermath.
Know how much you want to receive before you contact a lawyer
It is important to determine your claim’s value before speaking to an insurance adjuster. Set a minimum settlement figure you are willing to accept before you speak to an insurance adjuster.
You and your personal injury attorneys should know this figure, but don’t tell the adjuster. Under the pressure of negotiating, you need to keep your bottom line in mind. However, you don’t have to hold fast to the figure you choose for yourself.
Depending on what the adjuster points out, you may have to lower your claim amount a bit if the facts are revealed that you weren’t aware of. You should raise your figure if the adjuster offers a figure that is close to or at your minimum. An experienced auto accident lawyer is always a good choice for accident settlements since they are complicated legal issues.
Do not take the first offer you get
Many accident victims want to get their money as soon as possible, so they can move on with their lives. Insurance companies will typically begin the negotiation process by offering a meager amount.
The adjuster will be able to gauge how patient you are and how well you understand what your claim is worth. You need to decide if you want to accept a reasonable but low offer, or if it’s so low you are being taken advantage of. Your counteroffer should be closer to your demand amount if the offer seems reasonable.
The adjuster will see that you are willing to compromise and be reasonable. Getting to a fair settlement will take a little more wrangling between you both. If you are negotiating accident injury claims, avoid going over all the facts again and focus on the most important points in your favor.
Establish your case with evidence
The extent of your injuries, as well as the number of damages you seek, must match when you are filing a claim in Atlanta.
When an insurance company attempts to reduce your settlement, you will have more leverage if you have a paper trail documenting everything from your medical care to lost wages. When an accident occurs, the process of settling the claim begins.
In order to prove your injuries to your attorney, you must have every cost incurred documented before the negotiations begin. In addition to receipts and pay stubs, this includes medical expenses, prescription costs, property damage, and long- and short-term medical costs.
Listen to your doctor
It’s also a good idea to follow your doctor’s instructions when filing a personal injury claim in Atlanta. It will also help mitigate your damages while improving your quality of life. Therefore, you have made a reasonable attempt to minimize the damage and loss caused by your injuries.
The insurance company might claim that you made your injuries worse if you don’t follow through with the medical treatments prescribed by your doctor. The settlement they offer you will be less than fair based on that information. You will not be able to get less than you deserve, however, if you follow your doctor’s orders.
Avoid social media
An experienced car accident lawyer will tell you that you should avoid social media after your accident. Anything you post about your case on social media could be used as evidence during negotiations, or even at trial if your case makes it that far.
Investigators for your insurance company will also look at your family members’ and friends’ social media accounts to see if they can find evidence that contradicts the injuries you suffered in the accident. In other words, if you post a video of yourself playing basketball after claiming whiplash from a car accident, the insurance adjuster could use it against you. If you are going through the insurance claims process, it is best to refrain from using social media.
Write the insurance company a letter of demand
You can send an insurance company a demand letter once you know how much your claim is worth. Be sure to include the following information:
- When the accident occurred.
- What happened and your injuries.
- How you were treated.
- Any ongoing medical problems.
- Damage to your car.
- Losses sustained during the accident.
Afterward, you tell your insurer how much money you need based on the circumstances. In response to your demand letter, the insurer is likely to make a lower offer than what you requested. To ensure you get what you want, you should always ask for 25 to 100 percent more than what you’re prepared to settle for.
Your demand letter must be accompanied by evidence and documentation. It is typically handled by a car accident attorney.
Make emotional arguments in your favor
Any emotional points supporting your claim should be discussed during settlement negotiations. Send your adjuster a very clear photo of the damage to your car or the severity of your injury. Refer to the possibility of alcohol use again if alcohol was found at the accident scene in the at-fault party’s vehicle.
Mention as well if you were unable to care for your child or maintain employment due to your injury. A dollar value cannot be placed on these factors, but the emotional damage can be a powerful tool for getting an insurance company to pay out the maximum.
Get help from an attorney
A lawyer with decades of experience seeking compensation for car accident injuries is likely to get you a better settlement than you could do it on your own.
A personal injury attorney maximizes the chances of a successful outcome by knowing how to pursue your injury claim, providing expert legal advice on what to do next, and negotiating with insurance adjusters. Having proper legal representation is essential for receiving the largest possible claim.
As soon as possible after suffering an injury, you should contact a legal professional. If you give your lawyer as much time as possible to gather evidence, you’ll be better off.
Contact Singleton Law Firm Today
Getting back on your feet after a car accident in Atlanta should be your top priority. Contact the Singleton Law Firm for a free consultation if your insurance company is denying or undervaluing your claim.
Our Atlanta car accident lawyers are on your side throughout the entire legal process when you hire them. Call the Singleton Law Firm at (770) 889-6010 today to get your free consultation after your car accident so you don’t get taken advantage of.
