Dealing with insurance companies after being injured in an accident is an inevitable part of the road to recovery. In addition to having to worry about medical treatment, missed time from work, and the ability to perform daily activities, people injured in accidents may dread the claim filing and claim settlement process. This is because these processes can be tedious, confusing, and stressful.
Making matters worse is the fact that insurance companies are in the business of making money and turning profits. Although many insurance providers may promote the ideas of offering superior customer service and being on the customer’s side, the truth is that insurance companies need to receive more money in premiums than they pay out in claims. Insurance companies seek ways to minimize the settlement amounts offered to claimants.
It is important to learn how to determine whether an insurance company is offering you a fair settlement. Understanding how to spot an unfair or low settlement offer can make a dramatic difference in the compensation you receive after an injury.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, or if you would like to learn more about the claim settlement process, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free case evaluation with our injury attorneys.
Factors To Look For In A Good Settlement Offer
In short, a reasonable settlement offer will fully compensate you for your injuries. A number of factors determine how much your injuries are worth, which an accident or personal injury attorney can help walk you through.
Some of these factors include: whether the offer covers all the bills you’ve incurred so far and whether it will cover medical expenses you may have to pay for future treatments. Does it adequately compensate you for your pain and suffering? Additionally, will it cover your loss of earning capacity as well as your lost wages?
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationUnderstanding The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Your Case
When speaking with attorneys telling you that you have a strong case, ask them for specific reasons as to why this is so. An experienced, qualified attorney should be able to point to specific factors in your case that will help you recover compensation.
In addition to asking about the strengths of your case, make sure to ask about the weaknesses. Again, a good attorney should honestly address the potential weaknesses in your case and help you develop a plan for addressing them.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationHow Do Insurance Companies Determine Settlement Amounts?
Insurance companies take many factors into account when determining what their settlement offer will be. Some of these include the type of claim you are making, the policy limits of the other party’s insurance policy, and the type and extent of your injuries.
However, remember that insurance companies are for-profit businesses that exist to make as much money as they possibly can. This means that they will look for ways that they can exploit to minimize your claim as much as they are legally allowed. A personal injury lawyer near you will be familiar with insurance companies’ tactics to avoid paying fair settlements.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationA Fair Settlement Offer Takes Into Account A Number Of Factors
When it comes to personal injury law, there are rarely, if ever, open-and-shut cases. Accident victims know the impact of an injury can be much more than just physical. Serious injuries can result in financial, mental, and emotional stress in addition to physical pain.
Fair settlement offers take into account all of these factors and more. They should, as much as possible, make you as whole as you were before the accident. An attorney who has handled similar cases before will be able to let you know what a fair settlement looks like in your case and argue for it on your behalf.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationValuing Your Pain And Suffering And Your Other Non-Economic Damages
Economic damages, like medical bills, are fairly simple to calculate. You will typically be able to receive the amount of money that you paid out; just remember to keep all the receipts. However, non-economic damages are a different story.
Pain and suffering do not come with easily quantifiable statements or bills. Your attorney must formulate the facts of your case into a concise argument for a specific amount of damages.
Personal injury lawyers use a few different methods, including calculating a multiple of your economic damages. Sometimes they will determine a daily amount for pain and suffering and take into account the expected duration of the injury. Whichever strategy your attorney uses, he or she can explain what makes the most sense in your case and which is more likely to be successful.
Should I Use An Online Settlement Calculator?
Online settlement calculators seem like an easy and convenient way to get an idea of what your case could be worth. However, there are too many factors in a given personal injury case for these calculators to provide you with an accurate estimate of the compensation in your case.
An online calculator may be able to total your medical bills and other expenditures to give you some idea of what a portion of your economic damages are, but this is simply a preliminary step in determining what your overall case is worth. Online calculators cannot be expected to factor in your non-economic damages, any future loss of income, and the percentages of fault that may be assigned to the parties in the case.
Speaking with an injury attorney is a sure way to get a reasonable estimate of what a fair settlement in your case could be. When you find one familiar with the settlement limits and laws in your state, that is even better.
How Can I Negotiate With Insurance Companies?
When negotiating with insurance companies, you must understand what you are up against. Insurance adjusters do not need to treat you nicely; they are trained to seek out any potential weaknesses in a claim and exploit them. They aim to achieve a more favorable settlement for their employer, not you.
To combat this, you may start by not giving a statement to the insurance company before speaking with an attorney. The next thing to do is hire an accident attorney with the necessary experience and resources to handle your claim. You’ll want to work with someone who can ensure that you are treated fairly and get what you deserve.
In addition to hiring an experienced attorney, you can put yourself in the best position to negotiate with insurance companies by ensuring you have collected all of the relevant documentation for your case. This can include all your medical records, receipts for property repairs, and anything else like pictures or videos you may have produced as a result of your accident.
How Our Law Firm Can Help Negotiate A Fair Settlement For You
Zinda Law Group personal injury attorneys are in offices nationwide. We have extensive experience in handling a wide range of personal injury claims. Our knowledge and ability to negotiate with insurance company adjusters on your behalf can help you negotiate the best settlement possible for your case.
Our goal is to help our clients get the compensation they deserve for their injuries and property damage. We are devoted to providing each one with high-quality legal representation while offering a small firm’s individualized attention.
Contact our personal injury attorneys today at (800) 863-5312 and schedule a meeting to discuss your case. You will not be expected to pay us anything unless we can get you compensation in your case. That is our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
