Insurance Negotiating Tactics to Watch for After an Accident

When you’re hurt in a serious car accident, you may be thinking about turning to your car insurance company for help. But your insurer may not have your best interests in mind. If they don’t, you may find yourself struggling to recover from your accident. 

Unsure what to expect from your insurance policy? Talk to a Hastings car accident lawyer about these tactics to watch for. If the insurance company takes any of these actions against you, it can harm your future. 

Lowballing Your Settlement

When you receive a settlement offer, you may at first be thrilled that you received a settlement offer in the first place. But you may have been disappointed by the number you see in the letter. You may even have been offered an insultingly low settlement offer, one that simply won’t cover your costs for your serious injuries, your pain and suffering, and your time away from work. 

You’ll know if you’ve received a lowball settlement offer when you know what your claim is really worth. Talk to your lawyer about calculating all your economic and non-economic damages before you negotiate for higher compensation. 

Shared Fault

In some cases, the insurance company may try to justify the low settlement offer you’ve received. They may claim you were partly at fault for your injuries, placing some of the blame on you and avoiding part or all the liability for the accident. 

In these cases, your first priority may be avoiding responsibility for the accident. If you accept part or all the blame for the accident, you won’t receive the compensation you’d otherwise be due for your suffering. When you’re in this situation, your lawyer will focus on gathering evidence that shows the at-fault party was responsible for the accident, not you. 

Denying Your Claim Without Reason 

In some cases, you may not be given a reason for the denial you received. The insurance company may have denied your claim without a clear reason, and they may have since avoided contacting you or returning your messages or calls about your compensation. They may be doing this to browbeat or dispirit you. They may prolong the claim so that you’ll be desperate enough to accept their actions. 

That’s where a lawyer can help. You don’t have to accept whatever settlement they’ll pay out or just move on if they don’t offer anything at all. Instead, you can work with a lawyer who can pursue compensation, even if the insurance company is acting in bad faith. If they are acting in bad faith, your lawyer can help you file a claim against the insurer and seek compensation that meets your needs. 

Protect Your Claim with a Car Accident Lawyer 

When you’re hurt in a Hastings car accident, the damages you suffer may be severe. But your insurance company may not be keen on paying out the settlement you’re due for your suffering. 

If they refuse to fairly pay for the suffering you’ve experienced, reach out for help from the lawyers at Conway, Pauley & Johnson P.C. Your lawyer can help you negotiate with the insurance company without losing your compensation. We even offer free consultations so you know what to expect when you’re negotiating after an accident. Reach out by calling 402-462-5187 or by completing the online contact form below.