If your insurance company has already made an offer after your motorcycle accident, it may feel tempting to accept it and move on. But slow down – one call could make a big difference in your recovery. An experienced Lafayette motorcycle accident lawyer knows how insurance companies operate and what injured people are owed.
Attorneys can examine all angles of a case and leverage that to get clients much fairer compensation. Don’t sell yourself short by assuming the first offer is realistic. Take an hour to speak to an attorney and get an experienced perspective.
At the very least, we can let you know if what you’ve been offered seems fair. And if not, working together is the best way to ensure you get support to get your life back on track after an accident that wasn’t your fault. One conversation is all it takes to feel confident you’re making the right choice.
Why Accepting the First Offer May Not Be in Your Best Interest
There are a few important reasons why agreeing to the first offer may not be the best decision for your recovery and long-term interests.
The Insurance Adjuster Is There to Protect the Insurance Company’s Interests
First, insurance adjusters are motivated to settle claims for as little payout as possible. The insurance company is a for-profit business, and at the end of the day it doesn’t serve their interests to offer the greatest payout possible to every claimant.
A lawyer understands how these negotiations work and can push for a stronger offer that more accurately reflects the damages.
Your Injuries and Damages May Not Be Clear Yet
The full extent of injuries and expenses may not be clear immediately after an accident. Long-term medical problems, lost wages, impairment, and lifelong care needs are difficult to assess right away.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can utilize medical experts to provide a more comprehensive view of implications over time. Agreeing to the original settlement prevents you from seeking additional funds if more serious issues emerge later on.
Consulting legal counsel doesn’t obligate you to anything. But it can provide an experienced, objective perspective on whether accepting the first offer is truly realistic or fair for your recovery going forward. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you make an informed decision with confidence.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
How Insurance Companies Determine Settlement Offers
Here’s a brief overview of the factors an insurance adjuster will take into account when determining your initial settlement offer:
Assessing Liability and Negligence Factors
Insurers closely examine accident reports, evidence, and witness statements to determine the percentage of fault allocation between parties. Comparative negligence laws factor into settlements.
Reviewing Medical Records and Bills
Adjusters have medical professionals analyze injury severity and treatment plans. They assess economic damages like past and future medical costs.
Determining Coverage Limits
Policy coverage limits set maximum payout thresholds. Lower offers hope to avoid using full policy amounts.
Estimating General Damages Like Pain and Suffering
These less quantifiable areas have more subjective value. Insurers tend to lowball initial offers for settlement faster. Lawyers argue to recognize the full human impact.
Quickly Closing Cases to Limit Expenses
Insurers have a strong motivation to settle claims efficiently. Quicker resolution means avoiding drawn-out litigation costs that cut into company profits. They hope that you will just take what they offer so they can close the claim.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help Maximize Your Claim
Your lawyer understands how insurance companies determine settlement offers
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer is familiar with how insurance adjusters assess liability, coverage limits, comparative negligence, potential damages, etc. We know what factors insurers weigh heavily or underestimate.
A Lawyer Can Challenge Underestimates and Gaps
Reviewing medical records, accident reports, and other case details, a good lawyer can point to elements missing from the initial offer. We work to fill in information gaps to communicate a more complete understanding of injuries and expenses.
A Lawyer Negotiates from a Position of Knowledge
With command of the caselaw, applicable statutes, and contingencies, an attorney negotiates insurance settlements confidently. We bring facts, precedent, counternarratives, and leverage in discussions to move offers upward appropriately.
A Lawyer Finds Weaknesses to Apply Pressure
Experienced counsel identifies weaknesses or inconsistencies insurers want to conceal. Things like liability assignment issues, cooperation lapses by other parties, or coverage disputes put pressure on the company to increase a buyout amount.
Your Lawyer Pursues Maximum Reasonable Compensation
While some elements like pain and suffering have subjective value, a good lawyer aims to recover every dollar for a client’s recovery support. Our role is advocating solely for your interests in negotiations.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Help Evaluating Your Settlement Offer
If you’re questioning whether or not to accept a settlement offer, you may be confident that a seasoned lawyer has the know-how and savvy to make an impact. We are thoroughly aware of how insurance firms function, enabling us to provide solid, well-supported arguments in response to lowball proposals.
Our job is to provide you with an unbiased assessment of any settlement and make sure that all expenses, care requirements, and long-term effects are taken into account. More significantly, we put forth the effort to negotiate aggressively to get the best possible result.
All it takes to feel in control going ahead is one discussion. Our aim is to provide you with the most support possible for your recovery. Contact Vaughan & Vaughan today for a free case evaluation.
