If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, slip and fall accident, or some other incident, it is important that you speak with a knowledgeable Orange County personal injury attorney as soon as possible. This is true even if you are not sure whether you want to file a lawsuit.
When filing a claim against an at-fault person’s insurance company, the insurer is not going to do you any favors. In fact, the insurance company is going to do everything that it possibly can to limit coverage and avoid paying out in your case. This makes perfect sense because insurance companies do not make their money by paying out large settlements and jury verdicts. Rather, they make their money by collecting premiums from their insureds and doing everything possible to keep that money in-house. In fact, when an insurance company must pay out a large settlement, it loses money.
Having a knowledgeable personal injury attorney on your side can be extremely beneficial. Your lawyer will be able to advocate for your legal interests and can negotiate with the insurance company adjuster who is assigned to your case. Oftentimes, negotiations are necessary for the insurance company to arrive at a settlement offer that is worth accepting. Your attorney will pursue favorable monetary compensation on your behalf and can even threaten litigation if the insurance company refuses to compensate you fully and fairly.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
Even if you’re not sure that you want to file a lawsuit in your personal injury case, it is still important that you speak with a knowledgeable California attorney who can represent you throughout the claims process. First, an attorney can assist you with filing a claim with the proper insurance company. Once a claim is filed, the insurance company adjuster who is assigned to the case will likely review all the documentation and make an initial offer to resolve the case by way of a settlement. These initial settlement offers are typically far below the case’s actual value. Therefore, it is important that you have a knowledgeable attorney on your side throughout the process.
Your personal injury attorney in Orange County could assist you with fielding offers and making reasonable counter demands. Your attorney can assist you throughout the negotiation process and work to get a favorable settlement number on your behalf. If you do not have a California personal injury attorney on your side, the insurance company adjuster is far less likely to take your case seriously and will probably offer you much less than your case is worth.
Threatening Litigation
In addition to negotiating a favorable settlement offer with the insurance company, a knowledgeable California personal injury lawyer could threaten litigation if the insurance company refuses to offer you the compensation that you deserve. Sometimes, filing a lawsuit in the court system is enough to light a fire under the insurance company adjuster’s feet and get him or her to take your case seriously. If you do ultimately decide to litigate the case, your attorney will be able to continue negotiating a favorable settlement offer on your behalf. In addition, if the case needs to go to trial, your attorney will be able to zealously advocate for you in the courtroom or at the mediation or arbitration table.
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