Roads are dangerous. No matter how safe you drive, there might be one or the other elements out there that might put you in harm’s way.
In such a scenario where you have been involved in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation. This is to ensure that you don’t have to think about how to pay for your medical bills, or car repair bills, and stress about the same.
Read more to find out how to negotiate a car accident settlement in Maryland, and how a lawyer can play an integral role in getting you the best settlement possible for what you’ve endured.
Steps in the Negotiation Settlement Process
While the entire process of settling a negotiation after a car accident might seem overwhelming, there are a few simple steps that can be taken into consideration to ensure that it doesn’t cost a lot and affect you any more than it needs to.
Understand the Car Insurance Policy
To understand the degree of negotiation, one important thing to take care of is the insurance policy. In many cases, the insurance policy might not cover something that might have gotten damaged during the accident.
This is where the customer needs to understand the exclusions and inclusions of a policy carefully before filing for a settlement. Where your car insurance doesn’t cover, a settlement may.
Keep a Number in Mind to Ask For
Keeping a ballpark figure in mind to ask during a negotiation settlement can help in determining the final amount to recover. Basic expenses during an accident can be damage to the car and medical expenses.
Once all these bills are added and determining the loss that you have suffered as a victim of the accident, it helps establish a higher and lower range of the amount that works for you. Keep this number handy, and to yourself. Your car accident lawyer can help you determine this number so you can build a strong defense case to get what you need.
Think Through the First Offer
When the first offer arrives, it shouldn’t be something that should motivate or demotivate you initially.
The first offer is on the basis of the demand raised by one party. Now, the insurance company might try to lowball this offer by offering a very low amount in the first offer. This is usually a negotiation tactic. A good lawyer can help in determining the right offer for this by asking for a justification for this offer.
While it is always okay to consider the offer against the amount you have put forward, it is never required to accept the offer in one go.
Patience is the Key
One of the things that is often ignored in a car accident settlement is that it can take several months to settle and come to a conclusion. It might feel like it’s taking a lot of time to be settled while the car remains unrepaired in the workshop and there are hospital bills piling up.
At the end of the day, what matters is to keep things professional, and be patient about the entire process. Following up regularly might get the job done if there’s no word from the insurance company or other driver regarding the claim. Always let your lawyer handle the contact to ensure the proper, legal steps are being followed.
Accepting the Offer
The final step in the entire car accident settlement process is to either accept an offer if it’s something good or reject it. There are a lot of underlying factors behind accepting or rejecting a final offer.
Things one can ask themselves before finalizing such an offer is whether it’s close to what was demanded. Furthermore, if the claim is taken to the court as a case, how much would it cost in all the expenses? If and when the amount seems good, and there’s a confirmation, send the final terms in a letter and send it to the claims adjuster along with a return receipt request.
However, asking about any terms and conditions before closing the settlement is vital. Your lawyer can review the final agreement and ensure it legally meets the needs you have.
Benefits of Bringing in a Maryland Lawyer
Getting a car accident attorney on board after an accident can be extremely beneficial for the entire scenario. Here’s why consulting a local Maryland lawyer should be considered in car accident claims.
They Will Talk to the Insurance Company
Insurance companies are bound to renegotiate the claims and minimize the amount as much as they can. Negotiating with an insurance company can be overwhelming at times, and a car accident lawyer can help you do just that.
They will represent their client’s best interests in front of the insurance company, handle all the formalities of a claim, and ensure there’s a just and final decision on the same. Baltimore car accident lawyers are usually aware of all the tactics usually deployed by insurance companies and how to work towards them.
Negotiating and Coming to a Fair Settlement Amount
Insurance companies are skilled negotiators and they can go on for days to negotiate and come to a mutually settled amount. This is where a car accident lawyer who has been in practice can come into play and define what the right amount for settlement could be. They can help expedite negotiations that may otherwise go on for weeks.
Better Representation in Court
For scenarios where a claim can be taken to a trial, a professional and experienced car accident attorney can prove to be very beneficial. During a trial, a lawyer can put all the arguments in front of the court to extract the best possible solution in your interest, without letting you stress about anything.
Takeaway: The Right Maryland Lawyer Can Help You A Lot
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, you should definitely get in touch with a lawyer and understand the nuances of the situation.
Apart from negotiating and bringing in the best result for your case legally and financially, they can also assist you with the next steps, not letting you take your focus away from the day-to-day stuff.
A car accident settlement in Maryland can consist of various stakeholders, and a lawyer can represent the interest of their clients in front of all of these stakeholders, and get the maximum returns out of it.
Contact Saller, Lord, Ernstberger & Insley when you need assistance today.
