This is Kentucky Injury Lawyer Tate Meagher with Meagher Injury Lawyers. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is an insurance company telling you how your claim only has minimal value. Here are several methods an injury victim can use to help maximize their car accident injury settlement.
Tip 1: Gather and Send Evidence to the Insurance Company
Gather all your medical records and bills, and send those to the insurance company. Additionally, take photographs of the scene of the accident, any injuries you sustained such as bruising or wounds on your body, and photos depicting any damage to property such as all vehicles involved. Locate any witnesses to the accident and get their contact information. The more favorable evidence you can provide to the insurance company, the stronger your case will be.
Tip 2: Seek Medical Treatment
It’s important to seek medical treatment following your accident. Don’t miss your therapy appointments. Never “make it” or milk it to get medical treatment if you no longer need it. However, if you are still having pain and are not back to the level that you were before the accident, continue getting medical treatment. Getting medical treatment also provides evidence of the extent of your injuries and the impact they have had on your life. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible, as it creates a clear record of your injuries and the treatment you have received.
Tip 3: Start Negotiations with a Demand for Policy Limits
Start negotiations by demanding the insurance company make you an offer for the policy limits. In Kentucky, the law does not require the insurance company to disclose what their insurance policy limits are. That’s why I often simply demand that the insurer in my clients’ cases offer their insurance policy limits. This forces the insurance company to either deny the claim, make an offer for an amount less than their insurance policy limits, or make an offer for the policy limits.
Tip 4: Do Not Accept the First Offer Unless it’s the Policy Limits
The insurance company’s first offer is almost never the highest amount they are willing to offer, except if they offer the policy limits. If the insurance company’s first offer is for the policy limits, you may consider accepting that offer. However, if it’s for a specific amount below the policy limits, you should continue to negotiate and get them to make higher offers in your case. If you have a case valued over the at-fault party’s insurance policy limits, it’s important to not make any offers below the policy limits.
Tip 5: Hire an Injury Lawyer
If you’ve tried the first four tips without the success you’re looking for, it’s definitely time to hire an injury lawyer. A study by the Insurance Research Council found that personal injury victims who hired attorneys received settlements on average 3.5 times higher than those who did not hire attorneys. The injury claim process can be complex, and an experienced injury lawyer can guide you through the whole process, handle all communications with the insurance company, and help you maximize the value of your case.
I hope you found this video to be helpful. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn more about the ins and outs of injury cases and watch more of my videos. Lastly, if you are injured in a car accident in Kentucky, remember: don’t wait, call Tate.
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