Although North Carolina drivers strive to be as careful as possible, car accidents are still inevitable. If you have been involved in one, you might be left with damages and serious injuries; this gives you the right to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Here is how to negotiate your settlement.
Don’t rush
Many people involved in car accidents make the mistake of rushing through to get settlement offers. Instead, pace yourself and give yourself time to know the extent of your injuries; you may not know your total damages for a few months, so you should avoid rushing the settlement process.
Avoid accepting the first offer
Insurance companies don’t want to pay injured victims the amount of money they deserve. As a result, they make an initial lowball offer and expect the person to quickly accept it. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when negotiating a car accident settlement. Avoid accepting the first offer made to you because you’ll most likely get shortchanged.
Get medical treatment
Getting medical treatment after a car accident is wise; it allows you to recover and get evidence that can be crucial to your case. Follow up with any additional treatment medical professionals advise. If you don’t do this, it could harm your claim.
Know the extent of your damages
Documenting your damages is a good way to know the value of your losses. This should include your medical expenses, lost wages, damage to your vehicle and other tangible losses. However, noneconomic damages are tricker as they include things like pain and suffering, which can’t be attributed to a financial amount.
When negotiating a settlement with an insurance company, it’s up to you when to accept an offer. However, it’s crucial to remember that patience and persistence pay off when getting a car accident settlement.
