What are 5 Ways to Successfully Negotiate a Car Accident Claim?
Car accident lawyers in New York discuss five ways to achieving a favorable outcome when negotiating.
After you have been involved in a car accident, you expect your auto insurer to step in and help rectify the situation as they are responsible for covering the costs for the damages you have incurred and even the injuries you may have sustained. Problem is, the insurance carrier isn’t always going to want to pay what you think your accident is worth. This can leave you feeling even more stressed and overwhelmed after you have already experienced trauma from the collision itself.
When going up against an auto accident negotiator, there are some important tips car collision attorneys in New York believe could help you get the successful outcome you deserve. It all comes down to knowledge and gaining the proper evidence to prove your claim is worth the amount you have derived at. When an insurance company presents you with an offer they believe is going to cover your expenses, remember, they are the experts at this, and they are true masters when it comes to negotiating. Insurers often would much rather pay less than they have to in order for them to keep a tight grip on the funds they already have.
Being familiar with your insurance policy can help you be prepared when involved in an accident.
Here are some things New York auto accident legal representatives want you to keep in mind before the negotiation process even begins.
- Be familiar with your policy and what it says.
- Understand what types of damages and injures are in fact covered under your policy
- Be aware of your limits as all insurance policies generally stipulate a limited amount that they are willing to cover.
- Determine what the damage is valued at and compare that to what the adjuster is claiming your damages are worth.
Once you are aware of these elements, there are five steps you want to take that can help support your car accident claim and help you to obtaining the compensation for all the damages and pain that have been inflicted on you.
- Take note of these 5 tips as they can assist in the negotiating process.Define the other driver’s duty of care—All drivers are expected to drive with caution in mind and adhere to all the rules of the roadway. Did the other driver fail to abide by this?
- Determine how they breached that duty– When a driver fails to adhere to the rules, determine what they did that breached their duty.
- Determine negligence– How did the other driver exhibit reckless behavior?
- Prove liability-If you have determined the other driver was negligent, or careless, gather evidence that proves they are liable for causing the accident.
- Verify your damages– Obtain estimates to determine the relative value of what your damages are worth.
While the negotiation process may leave you frustrated as the insurer isn’t complying you, it is advised that you seek legal aid. Antin, Ehrlich & Epstein, LLP is a trustworthy car accident law firm located in New York who will gladly take on your case and step in and provide their legal expertise in order to obtain a settlement amount you can walk away content with.