The insurance companies may appear on your side, but they aren’t. Your lawyer will advocate to ensure you get the best settlement.
Your attorney will calculate your damages, including medical bills and records, lost wages, future expenses, and lost wages. They will then assemble this information into what is known as a demand package.
Damages
A person’s injuries can have a significant financial impact, from medical bills to lost income. An injury lawyer will work to ensure that all of these expenses are considered when negotiating a settlement.
A Rockville MD personal injury lawyer will review all the details of your case and then send a letter demanding an amount representing the total extent of your damages. A personal injury attorney can tell you if the offer is reasonable and whether it’s best to continue negotiating.
It’s important to remain patient during the negotiating process. If you show that you’re desperate to settle, it can suppress the value of your claim. An attorney can also help you identify other potential compensation sources, including underinsured motorist policies and additional insurance coverage. This can lead to a higher personal injury settlement.
Insurance coverage
While some injury victims choose to settle with the insurance company on their own, a personal injury lawyer is often required to help determine how much coverage a person has. This is important because if an injured party has too little insurance or no policies, they may not be entitled to compensation.
Injury attorneys will also ensure that they inform all parties involved in the accident that they represent their client. This includes other drivers in an auto accidents, employers of workers who have been hurt on the job, and manufacturers of defective products that cause injuries.
An attorney will also arrange for the collection of relevant records. You can include the following:
- Your medical bills.
- A report of disability from your doctor.
- A list describing your losses.
This includes non-economic damages, such as pain and discomfort. In addition, they will hire outside experts if needed to assist in calculating the value of your case.
Insurance company’s tactics
Insurance companies often employ tactics to minimize payouts, so you need a skilled personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can assist you with negotiating your settlement and renegotiating the terms of an offer when it’s not fair.
Insurers want to wrap up a case as quickly as possible, so they may make a low initial offer to resolve the matter. Your attorney will explain why the request is unacceptable and provide a detailed counteroffer with proof of your losses, including medical bills, documentation of lost income, police reports, and more.
It is important to take detailed notes during any conversation with an insurance company or their representative and to request that they put any offers in writing. If they do not comply, your attorney will draft a written retort to point out the assumptions they are making that are incorrect and unsubstantiated. This will give them a reason to reconsider their offer and increase your odds of a fair settlement.
Working with an attorney
Settlement negotiations typically occur in back-and-forth communication between attorneys via phone, at meetings, by letter, and by email. Your lawyer will be familiar with personal injury negotiation tactics and use their experience to fight for a fair settlement on your behalf.
Insurance companies will sometimes agree to your initial compensation demand. They will review your demand with a fine-tooth comb to examine the supporting documentation of your actual expenses and carefully evaluate your pain and suffering claim.
Moreover, your lawyer will also enlist the help of physicians to determine your present and future medical needs. It is important to consider the impact of your injury on your future life. Additionally, your attorney will use wage statements and consult economists to calculate the loss of earning capacity due to your injuries. This information is vital in determining a fair dollar amount for your damages.