Once the injured victim of an accident has filed an injury claim, he or she should expect to get a call from the insurance adjuster. Claimants that are prepared for that same call should find it easier to steer those negotiations towards the desired goal—that of obtaining a fair settlement.
Steps to include in preparation
Get some paper and a pen or pencil; put those close to the phone. Use that pen and paper to obtain noteworthy information, after answering the expected call
- Takedown the name of the person at the other end of the line.
- Takedown the name of the company that has employed the person at the other end of the line.
Guidelines to follow when speaking with the adjuster
Limit the number of facts that are shared with the adjuster; promise to provide more information in a demand letter. Do not accept the first offer.
Insist that the number of future contacts is limited; carry out that step in a manner that could be described as polite and calm. Take notes; write down any of the adjuster’s requests. Record what information was given to the caller.
Tips on the creation of demand letter
Collect the available evidence. Gain insight into how the adjuster will arrive at the value of his or her initial offer; adjusters usually use a multiplier, a figure between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of the reported injuries.
Try to form in your mind the number that should represent the lowest acceptable offer once the negotiations have started.
Working with a lawyer, compose the demand letter. The amount demanded should be more than the lowest acceptable offer.
Use caution, if presented with improper comments at any point during the negotiations
If you have received a payment from a health insurance provider, the adjuster should not tell you that you have no reason for demanding reimbursement of the money that was used to cover your medical expenses. If you have hired a lawyer, then that same attorney should arrange for repayment of the health insurance provider, once you have received your compensation.
If your employer has granted you paid medical leave or paid vacation time, that fact should not become a “green light” to the insurance company. That fact cannot be used as a reason for refusing to consider a demand for compensation for lost wages. All victims deserve such compensation because their injury has kept them from going to their workplace and earning a salary.
Hire a Professional
Instead of dealing with negotiating yourself. Hire a professional attorney at Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group by calling 772.247.5306. We are available 24/7 and offer a FREE Consultation.
