What Should I Do If the Insurance Company Offers a Settlement That Seems Too Low?
If the insurance company offers a settlement that’s too low, meaning that it won’t cover all your claim-related expenses, do not accept it. You are not, in any way, legally required to accept a settlement offer from the insurer. You should continue negotiating for a settlement amount that will fully cover the losses you sustained from the incident. Admittedly, this is easier said than done because insurers have people working for them, and these people are masters at negotiations, gaslighting, and intimidating unsuspecting claimants like you
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That’s why it’s in your best interest to have a South Carolina personal injury lawyer during negotiations with an insurance company. Your lawyer will advise you when you should counter the insurer’s offer or turn it down outright. They can ensure you don’t get deceived into accepting a lowball settlement offer and advise you on the next steps if you refuse an offer.
How to Respond to a Lowball Settlement Offer from The Insurance Company
You can respond to the insurer’s lowball settlement offer by:
- Responding with your own counteroffer. This will effectively communicate to the insurer that you are rejecting their offer.
- Filing a lawsuit against the party liable for your injuries and losses, which is the insurer’s client, so your case will be heard in court. Because a lawsuit involves many stages, the discovery phase sometimes being one of the longest, there will be ample time for further negotiations with the insurer. Most cases settle way before the trial starts, so if your case is strong enough, the insurer may be motivated to settle your claim by offering the right amount and avoiding a trial.
How Having a South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer Will Increase Your Chances of Securing Maximum Compensation
Insurance providers make the claims process intentionally difficult, intimidating, and confusing for injured claimants, hoping that they will wear you down and get you to accept their low offer. The best way to even the playing field is by working with a South Carolina personal injury attorney with experience in successfully negotiating maximum compensation for their clients.
Your lawyer will know how to deal with the scare tactics insurers use to lower the compensation they owe you. They are experienced and knowledgeable in protecting your best interests and handling the complex insurance claims process. On your own, however, negotiations will drag on and on after you reject the insurer’s settlement offer. With a South Carolina personal injury attorney on your side, however, the insurer will have no choice but to take your claim seriously.
Your attorney will also know how to assess your total losses and determine the amount of compensation you deserve to receive. They will stay on top of negotiations with the insurer and ensure the insurer knows that you’re ready to take your case to court if they don’t play fair.
Even The Playing Field with Our South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer
Rejecting a lowball settlement offer and negotiating a higher compensation amount is possible, but it can be very challenging without legal guidance. At The Office of D. Craig Brown, our South Carolina personal injury attorney has successfully secured maximum compensation for our clients, and they can do the same for you. Contact us online or by phone at 843-676-0169 for your case consultation with our South Carolina personal injury lawyer.