Every experienced lawyer knows that a smart claimant does not accept the first offer that comes from the insurance adjuster. Instead, that foresighted claimant bargains with the insurance company in an effort to reach a settlement.
In order to present a strong case, an injured victim/claimant needs all of the relevant documents.
That would include photographs of the damage and of the accident scene. It would also include the collected medical bills. Those relevant documents get placed in an envelope, along with the demand letter. The claimant should never suggest that he or she might be at-fault for the accident. The demand letter should state clearly the amount of money being asked. Personal injury lawyers usually encourage their clients to demand a rather large amount of money.
The adjuster’s response to the demand letter
A typical adjuster would respond with a low counteroffer. In addition, the adjuster would probably remark on any perceived weaknesses in the claimant’s case. Such weaknesses normally arise from the emergence of a dispute. The personal injury lawyer in Edmonton knows that the claimant’s response to the adjuster’s counteroffer depends on the claimant’s mindset. A smart claimant selects the amount of a minimum compensation. An awareness of that amount guides the claimant, regarding the amount that he or she might accept.
The adjuster receives the claimant’s response to the adjuster’s counter offer.
The adjuster might accept it, or might send a new counteroffer. The adjuster and the claimant keep exchanging offers. Finally, the 2 might agree on a quoted figure.
At that point, the 2 sides have reached a settlement. The victim/claimant should get the terms of the settlement in writing. That written response ought to include the date when the check for the awarded funds will be mailed out.
The sort of disputes that can work to weaken a personal injury case:
• The scope of the coverage offered by the purchased policy.
• Questions about the full nature and extent of the victim’s injuries
• Accusations that surround the extent to which the accident victim could be named partly at-fault for the incident, or for the resulting injuries
Why adjusters strive to weaken claimants’ cases?
Claimants tend to lower their demand to a larger degree, if the adjuster’s response to the demand letter has questioned the strength of a claimant’s case. If a possible plaintiff appears to have a weak case, that same plaintiff will feel less inclined to pursue a lawsuit against the defendant.
The insurance company must provide the defense team for the defendant, should a trial get scheduled. Consequently, the typical insurance company would like to reduce the chances that the plaintiff might decide to move forward with tentative plans for a lawsuit. That would lead to the scheduling of a trial.