If you can’t come to an agreement during the negotiation process of a personal injury claim, that’s when it is time to file a lawsuit and take the matter to court.
When you file a personal injury claim, it is not always going to be taken to court. In fact, most personal injury cases are resolved with a settlement before ever having to reach the courtroom. This process involves both parties of the case, lawyers, and the party at fault’s insurance company. Here are the steps to the negotiation process of a personal injury claim.
Filing a Claim
Before the negotiation process can begin, you must notify the insurance company of the party at fault about the incident and your injuries. You can file a personal injury claim over the phone or online. You want to do this as soon as you can after an accident because most companies require that you file the claim within 24 hours of it happening
Demand Letter
This would be a good time to consult with a personal injury lawyer to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Once your injuries have healed, the next step is to send a demand letter to the at fault person’s insurance company that states the facts of the accident, your injuries, and the damages you want to receive (medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, etc). The claims adjuster will then respond with a settlement offer and this is when the negotiating begins. If you feel the settlement offer is too low, which it typically is initially, do not hesitate to decline.
Counter Offer/Negotiation
After you have declined the initial settlement offer, you then send a counter offer to the claims adjuster. This should include a reason for declining and this is the time to reiterate the severity of your injuries. The negotiation process will continue on this way until you both agree on a reasonable amount. If you both can’t come to an agreement in a reasonable time, they will send a final settlement offer. If this offer isn’t good enough for you, then that is when you need to file a personal injury lawsuit, and take the issue to court.
Have You or a Loved One Suffered a Personal Injury Due to Someone Else’s Negligence? Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts settlements*. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, for more information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and LinkedIn.