THE PROCEDURE OF SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATION IN AN INJURY CASE

Negotiating a personal injury settlement is a lot like bargaining. You must do a little back and forth to finalize the settlement. Once the insurance adjuster makes the offer, you can accept it or make a counteroffer. Injury Lawyer in St. Catharines knows that throughout the negotiation process, the adjuster can ask questions and even try to dispute your facts.

How to Make a Successful Injury Claim

How Injury Lawyer in St. Catharines approaches an injury claim will determine the claim's fate. Here is how you deal with them:

•    Stay organised- Keep a copy of every document, receipt, and other legal and court documents.
•    Be Patient- Getting hold of all the medical records and documents takes time, so have patience. The insurance adjuster can use your impatience against you to settle for a lowball claim.
•    Be Persistent about the Case- Do not let the adjuster delay your claim. Constantly follow up on them if they have promised to do something about your claim. As a date by which the claim will be filed. Write or call for a response and wait. If there is no response, then politely remind them.
•    Be Calm and Straightforward- If you do not hear a response, wait and do not pester the adjuster. It is essential to keep your cool. Avoid extreme emotions and have faith in the adjuster.

Watch Out for the Following Insurance Company Tactics

Many adjusters may need better intentions, to possess. They might act in "bad faith." Be aware when the adjuster tries to use some unfair negotiating tactics. Here is how they might try to trick you:

"Settle with the Other Company"

The adjuster might tell you to contact the at-fault party's insurance adjuster. Gently remind them that you can proceed against the responsible party if there are no written claims to be the primary insurance carrier.

"You Weren't Out of Pocket"

It is improper for the adjuster to ask about such details under the "collateral source rule". They must only ask about the other payment sources when determining a reasonable settlement amount.

If the adjuster asks such questions, remind them politely that they cannot do so under the law. Injury Lawyer in St. Catharines will report it to the adjuster's superiors. It is unfair for the person who resulted in your injuries to receive the gains from the things you earned by your merit-like- like sick pay or vacation leave.

"You Waited Too Long"

Injury Lawyer in St. Catharines knows that you should not allow the insurance adjuster to tell you that if there is a delay between your accident and the onset of your claim process, that is a doomed battle. Never accept a lowball settlement offer. Remember:

•    There is no time limit for filing a liability claim. Be aware of the relevant statute to limitations
•    If you seek to file a claim under personal insurance coverage, adhere to the deadlines diligently. To read more: GPC Injury Law