Should You Accept A Settlement Offer From Your Insurance Company After A Car Accident?
Settlement Offer From Your Insurance Company
Upon getting into a car accident in the state of Texas, you must file a claim with your insurance company. Your insurance company will then come back to you with a settlement offer to close out the case.
But how do you know if the amount they’re offering is fair? How can you know for sure whether you’re actually entitled to more?
In this kind of situation, a Dallas car accident lawyer can help. A lawyer with experience in this area can compare the offer you received to the offers he has helped achieve for past clients. This experience, coupled with the applicable law, informs the lawyer as to whether you should be fighting for more money. And if it’s your first offer, you more than likely should.
Knowing When The Offer Is Too Low
The first thing you should know about settlement offers it that they will always be on the low end, especially if it’s the first offer. Insurance companies are not in the business of handing money out, else they would have no money left. So they try to pay you as little as possible in the hopes that you’ll accept it and move on.
There are a number of things to consider before deciding whether to accept the offer. And when you re-consider these things, you may realize just how low that initial offer truly is. Factors you must account for when agreeing to a settlement offer include:
- Damage to your vehicle, and the cost of repairs
- The total cost of your medical bills, including all future treatments and prescriptions
- Time you’ve missed out of work, and how capable you are of returning to your previous role
- Additional expenses associated with the accident that have yet to be accounted for
Any one of these factors can significantly increase the amount you should settle for. It is therefore best for you to speak to a qualified lawyer to discuss just how much each of these adds to your claim. Your lawyer will also be able to advise you on any factors you may not have considered, but that you may still be entitled to.
Negotiating For A Higher Settlement
You can absolutely negotiate for a higher settlement, but it can be difficult to achieve without a lawyer’s help. Consider this: the insurance company throws out a low number, you counter with a higher number. The insurance company says no, so you settle for the lower number, or a slightly higher counter-offer. Then, you discover you need surgery, but you’ve already agreed to an amount that nowhere near covers the surgery. Unfortunately, you’re now out of luck.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by discussing your case with a lawyer. When an insurance company knows they’re dealing with you one-on-one, they’re going to do all they can to intimidate you by using their power against you. And hey, they have lawyers on their side – so why shouldn’t you?
Time In Which To File A Lawsuit
In the state of Texas, the law dictates that you have two years from the date of your car accident to file a lawsuit against the other driver. This goes for both personal injury and property damage lawsuits. You may be forced to file a lawsuit if you cannot agree on a settlement number with the insurance company.
If your case is going to court, then you have never needed a lawyer more than you do right now. You have already tried to negotiate with the insurance company on your own, and they refused to listen to you. A lawyer can fight on your behalf for the settlement you rightfully deserve.
Negotiating A Settlement Offer? Call Us Right Away!
Negotiating with an insurance company can be a stressful experience, particularly if you are offered much less than you deserve. Insurance companies think they can push you around because you don’t have a lawyer on your side. A lawyer can give you that extra muscle you need to negotiate – and get – a higher settlement package.
A Dallas car accident lawyer can review your case and determine what your settlement amount should really be. And then, if you choose to hire him or her, the lawyer can negotiate on your behalf, taking any intimidation – or attempts at intimidation – out of the equation. If you’re interested in speaking with one of the lawyers on our team, fill out our contact form, or give us a call at 469-998-4069. We don’t collect a fee unless you retain us and we win, so let’s get started!
