Negotiating An Auto Accident Settlement

Negotiating an auto accident settlement can be a very complex and trying thing for many people to tackle.  It can take a lot of effort, a lot of time, and an even greater amount of other resources that many don’t seem to understand. Before you can come to any kind of fair settlement in your auto accident claim, you will need to be prepared to negotiate, and negotiate well.  And you will need to be able to negotiate with not only the other person’s insurance company, but also your own.

Many auto accident settlement negotiations take place with the help of an insurance adjustor, and this is the person that you will speak with regularly regarding your claim.  As you attempt to negotiate your claim with this adjustor, there are certain kinds of questions that you will be asked and will need to be prepared for.

Preparation is no doubt the most important thing that you will need to focus on. You will want to know exactly what you want to achieve before heading into the negotiations, and you will also want to know what supporting documentation or evidence is available to you. Before attempting negotiation, be sure that you have prepared any and all documents that could support your claim, including receipts for car repairs and any medical bills.  Keep these items handy, and you may want to prepare print and/or electronic copies to send to the adjustor.

You will also want to prepare your own policy documents.  Before you contact the other insurance company, be sure to read through your own insurance policy documents to understand what is covered through your own insurance.  This may become particularly important if you are found to be at least partially at fault for the accident.

Also, before starting negotiations for your auto accident settlement, you may want to prepare a written statement that can be sent to the insurance company. Writing things out is a good way to get things on the record and also to detail exactly what it is that you are seeking. When you send the statement, you can also enclose your copies of the supporting documentation that you have gathered.  In this statement, you will want to make sure that you have clearly stated your reasons for your claim and a definitive statement of what you want to achieve.

Calculating exactly what amount you wish to receive may be more difficult for some.  This is because you are entitled to a variety of damages, from medical bills to lost wages.  Any damages you are claiming, though, should be clearly stated and should have backup documentation.  For example, if you are claiming medical costs, you will want to ensure that you have copies of all your medical bills.  If you are claiming lost wages, you may want to provide copies of prior pay statements and a letter from your employer stating that you have not been working since the time of your injuries. Having this information will ensure that you go into the auto accident settlement negotiations with a strong case.