When submitting an insurance claim for a car accident or personal injury incident, you expect the insurance company to provide a fair payout. Unfortunately, insurance companies are in the business of making money, which means they don't always offer adequate compensation. You may need to negotiate with the insurer for a fair settlement.
Learn how to negotiate a higher Houston accident settlement below with the aid of an experienced legal professional.
Hire a Settlement Negotiation Lawyer
You may wish to work with an experienced personal injury accident settlement attorney to negotiate your offer. Attorneys know how to communicate with insurance companies effectively to ask for higher payouts. Your Texas personal injury settlement attorney can help you navigate this process correctly and improve your chances of securing a better settlement.
When choosing an attorney, look for a personal injury attorney experienced in insurance settlement negotiations for your type of claim.
Understand the Coverage Limits
Before attempting to negotiate, review the coverage limits on the policy. If the insurer has already offered the maximum amount, negotiating a higher offer may not be worth your time.
If you're submitting a claim through the at-fault party's insurance company and their coverage limits do not adequately cover your expenses, you may be able to seek additional compensation through a lawsuit. Talk to your Texas personal injury attorney about whether this option is viable.
Gather Additional Evidence
You'll need to submit extensive evidence with your negotiation to show that the insurer's original offer does not cover all your expenses from the accident. Your attorney can help you gather additional compelling evidence, such as the following:
- Photos and videos of the accident
- Witness testimonies
- Police reports
- Accident reports
- Testimonies from professionals (e.g., a medical professional who discusses the impact of your car accident injuries or an accident reconstructionist)
Consider the Offer
You and your Texas accident settlement attorney will calculate the value of your claim by adding up the following expenses:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Time off work
- Loss of ability to work
You may also decide to seek non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Emotional distress
You and your attorney can determine a range you would be willing to accept should the insurance company decide to increase its settlement offer.
Submit a Counteroffer in Writing
Your attorney will help you draw up a counteroffer to present to the insurance company. Doing so creates a paper trail of your communications. It also allows the insurance company to review all your evidence and requests in one place.
With your counteroffer, submit all the documentation you want the insurer to consider as part of your accident claim settlement in Texas.
Contact McLaurin Law Today for Texas Accident Settlement Assistance
You don't need to accept the first offer the insurance company gives you for a personal injury claim. With the help of a qualified attorney, you can negotiate a higher offer and adequately cover all your expenses.
At McLaurin Law, we provide legal help for settlements in Texas. We can negotiate your offer on your behalf while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Contact us today at 713-528-8012 to schedule your consultation with our accident settlement attorneys in Texas.
