If you suffer a personal injury due to the negligence of another person, you can seek compensatory damages with the help of an Atlanta personal injury lawyer. Any personal injury claim must meet various requirements set forth in Georgia laws. It must also conform to other best practices in order to have better odds of success.
In most personal injury cases, you must have a strategy in place when you file the claim. Here are some excellent tips you can use to devise this strategy and to significantly improve your chances of success.
-
Gather Evidence
The veracity of your claim will ultimately depend upon the relevant evidence that backs it. The more evidence you have, the better are your odds of success. Relevant evidence may include the surveillance footage of the incident from nearby CCTV cameras, medical evidence of your injuries, witness statements, expert testimony, and more. Without evidence, your claim is likely to fail. So before you actually file the claim, make sure you muster as much evidence as possible.
-
Decide Upon a Specific Amount
It is possible to quantify your losses in a personal injury claim. A good attorney can help you reach a good ballpark estimate for the damages you deserve for your losses. It is important to have this estimate before you negotiate with an insurance company. Having a solid figure gives insurance adjuster the impression that you know what you are talking about. It also gives you a bottom line with which to work with. However, it is important to note that this amount you decide upon must not be rigid or final. If you have to consider new factors during negotiations, you may have to adjust this amount accordingly.
-
Do Not Accept the First Offer
The first offer from an insurance adjuster is typically a teaser. It is usually meant to test you and is as such an amount that is much lower than what you rightfully deserve. This is why no matter what is the first offer, do not readily accept it. Nor should you reject it. Simply ask the insurance agent to justify the offer. If the offer is low but not too low, you can counter by offering a sum that is higher but a little less than what you originally proposed. This shows flexibility on your part.
-
Don’t Be in a Haste
Many people who file a personal injury claim are in a hurry to settle. Insurance companies cash upon this by offering them a quick but low deal. If you want to get the best settlement, you must not be in a hurry. During negotiations, you must give the insurer the impression that you can wait for the right deal.
-
Be Emotional
During negotiations with an insurer, it is a good idea to bring up the emotional fallout of your personal injury. If your injury doesn’t let you take your kids to school or prevents you from forging meaningful social relationships, you must refer to these. These things give an insurer an idea of the true extent of your losses.
-
Let the Insurer Make a New Offer
After you have rejected the first offer made by the insurer, which is what you should do in most cases, you must wait for the insurer to make a new offer. During this period, do not try to make another offer to speed things up.
-
Hire an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer
A good attorney can be a huge help in personal injury cases. This is simply because the attorney has extensive knowledge of the relevant laws and has experience in dealing with insurers. With a good lawyer by your side, you can avoid many tricks and traps used by the insurance adjusters.
-
Confirm the Settlement in Writing
If you reach a settlement with the insurer, make sure it is put in writing. You should do this by confirming the settlement terms in a letter to the insurer. A good settlement confirmation letter should be short and to the point.
Hiring Reputable Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers
Here at Ted A. Greve & Associates, we specialize in personal injury claims. When working with our clients, we make it a priority to keep you in the loop throughout the process. We also work with you to make sure you seek a fair amount of damages without accepting any low offers. Reach us today to discuss your personal injury claim with our experienced attorneys.
